This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
As violent deaths become a norm in Kampala, a surprising group is speaking out against the killings: the hitmen themselves.
According to a recent study, the hitmen are unhappy with the low fees they're paid for their services, with some reportedly earning as little as Ush130,000 (approximately Ksh3,500) per hit.
The hitmen claim that their skills, which include expertise in handling firearms, man-to-man combat, and creative use of everyday objects as weapons, are being undervalued.
With an oversupply of hitmen in the market, the masterminds behind the murders are often careful to keep their identities hidden, making it difficult for the police to track them down.
As a result, the hitmen are left to bear the brunt of the risks, including arrest and conviction, for relatively small sums of money.
With their grievances mounting, the hitmen of Kampala may soon resort to a strike, refusing to take on new jobs unless their pay is increased.
