A suspected cattle thief was shot dead in Bugambe sub-county in Kikuube district during security operations aimed at fighting the increasing theft of livestock in the area.
The deceased has been identified as Andrew Ouma, 34, a resident of Ibambiro village, Katanga parish in Bugambe sub-county. He was reportedly shot dead on the night of Sunday, May 10, at around 11:00 pm.
Police sources that preferred anonymity told us that the suspect was shot dead as he attempted to hack Police officers that had gone to arrest him following a tip-off from the community.
It is alleged that on Sunday night, the Police received intelligence-led information that Ouma who had long been wanted by the Police in connection to alleged cattle theft, was hiding in one of the houses belonging to an alleged accomplice only identified as Banaba of the neighbouring village of Kaziniro.
The Police commanded by Alex Otim, the OC Bugambe Police Station, mobilised and raided Banaba’s home, and put him in handcuffs, all while Ouma was still hiding inside the house. Banaba later led officers to Ouma’s hiding place.
Ouma, who was armed with a panga, charged at the officers and attempted to hack one of them despite several warnings to drop the panga.
According to the source, the Police shot and killed the suspect on the spot.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region Police spokesperson, on Monday, said Police fired several shots in the air to scare Ouma off in vain as he advanced towards the officers.
Hakiza said the suspect was shot in the chest killing him instantly, while his handcuffed suspected accomplice escaped during the scuffle.
