MBALE, UGANDA: Police in Mbale has arrested three of their own officers including the Officer-in-Charge (OC) Bungokho Police Station after unknown thugs stole two guns and a radio call in an abrupt raid at the station on Wednesday night.
The Elgon Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Rogers Taitika, confirmed the incident, saying the stolen guns were under the possession of the OC identified as Celestine Ematu who has since been arrested to help with investigations alongside two other officers.
“We are doing what it takes to recover these thugs. These guns can be used to attack the locals. Let’s work together to recover the guns,” Mr Taitika said without revealing whether the stolen guns were loaded with bullets or not.
Mr Chris Mafabi, the Bungokho Sub County chairperson, said that the residents are now living in fear after the incident.
“We are living in tension after receiving information that Bungokho police station has been broken into and guns taken. We feel insecure now. We appeal to the police to carry out thorough investigations into the matter and make sure culprits are arrested and guns recovered,” he said.
This is the fourth incident in which thugs have attempted to attack the security stations.
On November 23, suspected armed criminals attempted to access Nakulabye police station in Kampala, but one was detected by a police officer, who discharged several bullets sending the intruders fleeing. Police recovered an AK47 magazine containing five bullets that was abandoned by the suspects.
On November 18, unknown gunmen attacked and killed a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) sergeant who was guarding Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja District. They took off with two guns.
On November 14, thugs shot at Kensington Luxury Heights Police Post before taking off.
A month ago, thugs attacked Busiika Police Station in Luweero District where three police officers lost their lives and four guns were robbed.
The police haven’t recovered the stolen guns or arrested the prime suspects. Incidents of attacks on police posts have been largely concentrated in Savannah areas of the central region, and police attribute them to a new rebel group.
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