Yumbe, Uganda: A licensed private security guard has shot and wounded an armed robbery suspect during a foiled attack in Yumbe Town Council, as security agencies intensify efforts to curb rising festive-season crime in the West Nile sub-region.
According to Collins Asea, the North West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, the incident occurred at around 11:50 pm on December 25, 2025, along Nile Street in Odiga Cell, when a traveller arriving from Kampala was ambushed moments after alighting from public transport.
Police said the victim was attacked by an estimated 15-member gang, armed with pangas (machetes), sticks, and stones, who executed a coordinated surround-and-assault manoeuvre before violently robbing him of a backpack containing valuables.
The stolen items included one HP laptop valued at UGX 500,000, one Mobigo smartphone valued at UGX 1.2 million, two Itel feature phones valued at UGX 65,000 each, a National ID, Driving Permit, four ATM cards, and a power bank.
Asea said the victim activated an audible alarm, attracting the attention of a guard from Ultimate Security Limited, who was deployed at a nearby Omia Agribusiness facility.
Upon responding, the guard came under direct threat as the gang allegedly advanced aggressively, hurling stones and brandishing pangas in a manner police described as posing an imminent lethal danger.
“In lawful defence of life, the guard discharged a single round from his assigned rifle,” Asea said.
The bullet struck Guma Anywari (18), a resident of Parikale Cell, Bilewu Ward, causing injuries to his lower right ribs and right arm. He was rushed to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, where he remains under medical care.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the remaining attackers fled the scene, abandoning a panga, which was recovered as evidence.
Police patrol units swiftly secured the area, documented the scene, and impounded the guard’s firearm, serial number UG PSO SAR 12116494, along with one spent cartridge and four live rounds, pending forensic and ballistic examination.
The case has been registered under YBE CRB 724/2025 as aggravated robbery. Investigations are ongoing, with police hunting for the 14 suspects still at large.
Authorities have appealed to the public to provide any information that could lead to arrests, while also urging community vigilance and parental responsibility, especially during the holiday period when crime risks traditionally spike.
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