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By Mike Rwothomio
A crew of unidentified suspected gangbangers violently attacked Devine Mercy Hearts of Love Children’s Home in Mawa Cell, Omua Ward, Paidha Town Council, Zombo District, shattering windows and door glass worth millions of shillings.
The harrowing incident went down at 3:00 AM on Monday, September 8, 2025, leaving locals and leaders shook, with many scratching their heads over the motive behind this vicious vandalism.
No loot was recorded , making the hit seem like a straight-up wrecking job without clear motive. Geoffrey Aliana Oryem, the LCI chairperson of Mawa Cell, confirmed the chaos, stating the goons only smashed windows and doors, leaving valuables untouched.
“These criminals jumped over the fence, trashed the glass, and later fled without grabbing anything. We’re condemning this cowardly act and calling on the community to stop it, The law’s going to hunt them down,” Aliana declared.
Devine Mercy Hearts of Love Children’s Home, which shelters 20 homeless kids and orphans, was set up in 2014 and officially opened in 2016. Dr. Christine Mpora, the director, recounted the 3:00 AM ambush, saying she was praying when the crew started busting up the place.
“I heard bangs on the windows and doors. The kids were screaming and praying. I sensed trouble, raised the alarm, and the thugs split over the fence,” a tearful Mpora told this publication.
She added, “I yelled that I knew who they were, and they fled out. They just smashed the glass only .”
The Home has a wall fence, and signs at two corners indicated crumbled bricks suggesting the suspected gangs might’ve knocked over parts of it while making their getaway, though this wasn’t confirmed by press time.
Mpora, who came from Kabale to Zombo to help vulnerable kids, was baffled by the attack.
“I’m here to save souls, not start beef. I’ve got no issues with neighbors, so why target this place?” she said, visibly shaken.
When a team of Journalists from Zombo Press Association visited the Home, a cop from Paidha Central Police Station’s CID was taking statements from the home’s residents to piece together the crime.
No official police report was out by deadline, but a deep throat source said three suspects got called in to help with the investigation. The probe kicked off earlier that morning with Paidha police flexing a new sniffer dog.
Mpora noted the kids are rattled and need counseling for at least two months to cope. “They’re traumatized, uneasy. We need support and security from the government and local leaders to secure this place down,” she urged.
Bruno Mananu Obomba, Zombo’s Assistant Resident District Commissioner, strongly condemned the incident, promising a “hardcore investigation” to nail the culprits.