Unknown gunmen have shot dead two people at Kasule Ayanguwa village, Budde Sub County in Butambala District. It is alleged that three men who were riding on a motorcycle stormed the village on Friday night as the residents gathered following the arrest of two suspected cattle thieves.
According to the residents, when they tasked the men to identify themselves, one of them drew out a gun a shot dead Ibrahim Kalyango, a Senior 4 leaver from Budde, and Brian Mutebi. The assailants allegedly injured an unidentified woman who was rushed to the hospital.
Mustapha Malimbo, the LC I chairperson of Budde Village, said that the attackers proceeded to Kyabadaza Police station at 11:30 pm while the officers were in the field where they had gone to rescue the suspected cattle thieves.
Ibrahim Bakayana, a resident said that a gunfire exchange ensued between Police officers and the assailants at the station. He said that the attackers later aided the suspects to escape amidst gunfire before they torched the station and sped off. It is alleged that the assailants were communicating on a radio call.
The Police confirmed the Friday night incident, saying that they received a disturbance call from the Sub County Chairperson, Ali Mwagalayi about two suspected cattle thieves on two motorcycles who were on the verge of being lynched by the community.
Katonga Regional Police Spokes Person, Lydia Tumushabe, said Police immediately responded, rescued the two suspected cattle thieves, and took them into custody at Kyabadaza police station.
“Moments after, a group of 3 men on a boda boda motorcycle, reached the scene at the village and started inquiring about what happened. They looked suspicious and the community threatened to arrest them, unaware that they were armed with a gun,” she said in a statement.
She said that the Police have deployed personnel to pursue the attackers and bring them to book.
Residents have appealed to authorities to increase on the number of security personnel to beef up the safety in the area. The residents say that the police on the roads should be equipped with personnel and equipment to enable them to perform their duties effectively. Arafat Ddembe, the area councilor said that there is a need for reinforcement of the Police facilities.
The attack on the Police in Butambala District follows a number of attacks that have left police officers killed in Luwero and Jinja districts.
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