Four suspects have been arrested after an attack at a farm in Lwabyata Sub-county, where a security guard was shot dead and his firearm stolen during a confrontation with suspected intruders.
Police in Nakasongola District are investigating a murder and aggravated robbery in which a 22-year-old security guard was shot dead and his firearm stolen during an attack at a farm in Kikuuta Village, Lwabyata Sub-county.
The deceased, identified as Innocent Tonny Okot, was employed by Axis Warriors Ltd and deployed to guard the late Mafende’s Farm. He was a resident of the same area.
Savannah Region Police spokesperson ASP Sam Twiineamazima said the incident occurred at about 3am on Monday, October 26, when one of the guards reportedly spotted a group of intruders armed with spears, allegedly fishing for lungfish in flooded areas within the farm.
“The guard reported that he had seen many intruders armed with spears, who appeared to be fishing for lungfish from flooded areas inside the ranch,” Twiineamazima said.
He said the guard, identified only as Safari, alerted his colleagues and was instructed to join three other guards, including Okot, to apprehend the intruders.
The guards reportedly arrested four suspects and recovered spears and lungfish before Okot pursued other suspects who were fleeing the scene.
“Moments later, his colleagues heard gunshots,” Twiineamazima said.
He added that Okot was heard crying out that he had been shot and that unknown assailants had taken his firearm, which initially contained five rounds of ammunition.
“Efforts were made to rush Okot for medical treatment. However, he died shortly afterwards from a gunshot injury around the groin area,” Twiineamazima said.
Police said four suspects had been arrested, while approximately 20 others remained at large.
“The robbed gun, with two rounds of ammunition, was recovered during an extended search of the scene,” Twiineamazima said.
Police also recovered spears, approximately 20 pieces of lungfish and torches.
Okot’s body was taken to Nakasongola Hospital for a postmortem examination, while the recovered firearm is to be submitted for ballistic analysis.
Twiineamazima said investigations were ongoing to identify and arrest the remaining suspects and establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.