Police: How panga-wielding thugs broke into Ofwono Opondo’s home

Two panga-wielding thugs on Thursday night attacked the home of Ofwono Opondo, the executive director of Uganda Media Centre and made away with some money after destroying property.

According to police, investigations into the matter which occurred in Nakabago cell, Ntawo ward in Mukono Municipality, at around 9 pm -- are underway. At the time of the incident, Opondo was in Kampala, it’s only his wife and two daughters that were home.

“It is alleged that two thugs armed with two new pangas and dressed in casual clothes with face masks, attacked the home of the head of Uganda Media Centre Ofwono Opondo, who was not at home at the time, his wife Jane Nalukwago Opondo and their two daughters were in the sitting room watching TV,” ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy spokesman for Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP), said in a statement.

Jane Opondo told police that the thugs entered the house through the main gate, which has no guards and was only bolted without a padlock. Upon entering the house, they accessed the master bedroom in accompany of the three family members and broke open the wardrobes of the master bedroom. 

“In one of the wardrobes, there was a handbag of Jane Opondo with Shs30,000 that they moved out with and her small feature mobile phone Nokia black,” reads the statement.

The incident happened after a power blackout in the whole parish. No family member was injured, according to police. The thugs are still on the run. The Nokia phone has been recovered.

Earlier today, Mr Opondo commended the security forces for responding swiftly to his disturbance call.

"I want to thank @police KPM #MosesKafero @UPDFspokespersn for the quick response although they haven't got the assailants yet. My family is secured. Some property and money taken. Investigations underway," Mr Opondo tweeted.