SAD! Hawker Stabbed Four Times to Death After Failing to Pay Shs1,000 To Security Guard at Papaz Plaza

A security guard attached to Papaz Plaza along Nabugabo Road in Kampala’s central business district has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a young hawker to death following a confrontation at the entrance of the building.

The fatal incident, which occurred on Saturday, sent shockwaves through traders, pedestrians and other hawkers operating around the busy commercial area as police launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killing.

According to eyewitness accounts, the deceased, whose identity had not yet been established by the time of publication, was a young man who earned a living by selling roasted groundnuts from a bucket around the city centre.

Witnesses alleged that the confrontation began when the security guard, commonly referred to as an Askari, stopped the hawker at the entrance to Papaz Plaza and demanded UGX 1,000 before allowing him access to the premises.

Several people who witnessed the incident claimed the young man responded that he did not have the money being demanded.

Moments later, an argument reportedly broke out between the two before the situation turned violent.

Eyewitnesses alleged that the security guard drew a knife and stabbed the hawker multiple times. They claimed the victim sustained four stab wounds before collapsing at the scene in full view of traders and passersby.

People nearby rushed toward the injured man in an attempt to save him, while others raised an alarm that attracted police officers and local leaders to the scene.

Despite efforts by members of the public to intervene, the hawker reportedly succumbed to his injuries before he could receive medical treatment.

His body remained at the scene for some time as police officers cordoned off the area to facilitate investigations and gather evidence.

The suspect was immediately arrested by security personnel and police officers responding to the incident. He is currently in custody as detectives investigate the circumstances that led to the fatal stabbing.

Authorities had not yet released the identity of either the deceased or the arrested security guard by the time this report was published.

Police are expected to record statements from eyewitnesses, review any available CCTV footage from nearby buildings and establish the exact sequence of events leading to the fatal confrontation.

The killing sparked outrage among traders and residents in Kampala’s city centre, many of whom condemned the alleged use of excessive force against an unarmed hawker.

Several eyewitnesses expressed disbelief that an argument allegedly involving UGX 1,000 could end in the loss of a human life.

The incident also reignited concerns over the treatment of street vendors and hawkers operating within Kampala’s central business district, where complaints about harassment, extortion and confrontations with security personnel have occasionally been reported.

Many traders who gathered at the scene called for a thorough and transparent investigation, urging authorities to ensure that justice is served if the allegations against the suspect are confirmed.

Human rights advocates have frequently emphasized that disputes involving civilians should be handled within the confines of the law and that the use of deadly violence is unacceptable except in circumstances permitted by law.

Police had not yet issued an official statement detailing the incident or confirming the allegations made by eyewitnesses. Investigations remain ongoing, and authorities are expected to provide further information after completing preliminary inquiries.

The body of the deceased is expected to undergo a postmortem examination as part of the police investigation before being released to relatives once his identity is formally established.

The arrest of the suspect marks the beginning of what is likely to be a criminal investigation into one of the latest fatal incidents to occur in Kampala’s bustling commercial district, as investigators work to determine the facts surrounding the tragic death of the young hawker.