{UAH} HOODLUMS OWN THE FREEDOM OF LIRA TOWN

Allan Barigye,

Did you lnow that Lira has become the most dangerous town in Uganda
where hoodlums rule? It is worse than some parts of Busoga where the
NRA has deployed thugs disguised as patriotic citizens doing military
training.. Every week, there is at least one violent robbery or murder
in Lira and in all these cases, no suspect is caught. There is now an
unofficial curfew starting at 7 PM when the streets get deserted. Most
people now believe that these hoodlums are actually NRA soldiers
moonlighting as thugs because of the powerful weapons that are used in
these murders and the inability or failure of the police to catch the
criminals.

George Okello
.

NationalPolice officer, two others shot dead in robbery
Publish Date: Apr 25, 2015
A policeman guarding scene of crime. The tyre of the vehicle was
deflated. PHOTO/Hudson ApunyoTweet

newvisionTweet

By Hudson Apunyo

LIRA - A police escort and two employees of Bidco Company were on
Friday shot dead by unknown gun men who fled with an unspecified
amount of money.

The incident happened at Majan Trading Centre, along Lira -Soroti
Highway, about 13km to Lira town.

The place is also known as Amach market which takes place on Saturday
though people come as early as Friday from different places like
Acholi, Teso, Bugishu and South Sudan and spend the time merry making.

Eyewitnesses said a Toyota Noah vehicle sped past the Tata lorry,
registration number UAT 635Y in which the deceased were traveling and
blocked them.


Deputy RDC Lira Mwaka Lutukumoi speaking to an eyewitness Ramathan
Okello, 17 at the scene where three people were shot dead on Friday
night. PHOTO/Hudson Apunyo
In what appeared like a well planned move a gunman jumped out and
opened fire while another checked in the lorry and removed a bag.

He then entered a gateaway commuter taxi that had pulled up behind the
lorry and both vehicles sped off.

Geoffrey Ogwal, 38, said people who were dancing nearby fled on
hearing the gun shots. He said he picked courage and went to the scene
after the two vehicles had left and found a policeman lying in a pool
of blood.

"We did not check immediately but there was one person shot dead in
the lorry," he said. He said another victim he could not identify was
rushed to hospital but died later on.

Another witness, James Omara, 22, a cattle trader said he arrived at
the market during day time and stayed until the incident happened.

Omara said the person who fired the shots came out and hide behind a
mangoe tree nearby as he opened fire.

Police spokesperson, Manshur Suwed, said the lorry had just delivered
to cooking oil to Amolatar and was on its way back to Lira.

Manshur said the policeman's gun was also taken but abandoned a short
distance away. He identified the dead officer as number 56697 PC Ojok
Patrick attached to fire brigade department and was escorting the
vehicle on route sale.

Manshur named the others killed as Daniel Opio, a cashier, and Kassim
Karim Ogwang, a sales man.

Daniel Ogwal and the driver Patrick Wandera survived without injuries.

The PRO said they suspect this could have been an inside job. He said
the driver, Wandera and Erick Muziira, another driver who was sent to
rescue the crew before the incident are being held to help with
investigation.

The crew had reported a mechanical problem and called for help.

Deputy RDC Mwaka Lutukumoi who visited the scene and talked to a
couple of people condemned the incident. He said there is some lead
being followed and called for calm.

"We are trying to investigate and we believe that we shall get to the
heart of the matter."

Joe Olang Eric, a clan leader of Bako Olang and an uncle to the
deceased police officer condemned the murder. He said transporting the
money in the night led to the death of the nephew and two others.

He called on the police authorities to make proper deployment that
does not put the lives of officers at risk. He also called on Ugandans
to come and condemn the act.

"We are really disappointed," he said.


The statements, comments, or opinions expressed through the use of

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.