IGP Ochola orders hunt for assailants who killed police officer on Kampala-Gulu highway

The Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola has ordered reinforcement of teams in Luwero to identify and apprehend the suspects who gunned down a police officer and injured another along the Kampala-Gulu highway.

On Monday at around 12.30 pm, thugs with machetes attacked two field force officers manning a roadblock at Kiwumpa village five kilometers to Luwero town council. The FFU officers were deployed there to provide security for two traffic officers.

The deceased Police Constable Ronald Busingye and his injured colleague identified as Josephat Twinamatsiko were attacked after the assailants suddenly emerged from both sides of the checkpoint.

Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga says Busingye was cut on the back and head with a sharp machete while Twinamatsiko sustained serious injuries to the hands and head. The assailants then ran away with two guns.

The assailants also burned a parked lorry Fuso box body UAR 301Z which was undergoing repairs with petrol and later fled the scene on a vehicle parked near Kiwumpa Church of Uganda primary school.

Enanga, says IGP Ochola has condemned what he called the senseless act of violent attack against policemen.

He adds that the motivation for the violent attack and murder is not yet established, although it appears the assailants targeted guns for robbery.

“The other two traffic officers, who were not armed, were not targeted in the attack and they escaped from the scene unhurt.

We want to assure the public that we have reinforced our teams in Luwero to help identify and apprehend the suspects involved in the brutal attack, “ says Enanga.

Police and Uganda People Defense Forces have been deployed at Kiwumpa village and other nearby villages to hunt for the killers.

The attack comes two weeks after three assailants shot dead the former acting Bukwo Chief Administrative Robert  Charles Ogwang at Kiryowa village a few kilometers after Matugga along the Kampala-Gulu highway.

The assailants shot the fuel tank of the deceased’s vehicle thus setting it ablaze. So far seven suspects have been arrested in connection to Ogwang’s murder.