Wave of Armed Killings in Gulu and Omoro Baffles Security Forces

A spate of violent incidents involving armed assailants in Uganda’s Gulu and Omoro districts has left local security forces perplexed and the community on edge. Over the past month, multiple armed robberies have resulted in at least one confirmed fatality and several injuries, with a stolen police rifle among the items missing.

The violence began on May 11, when unknown assailants attacked a female police officer at Lalogi Police Station, incapacitating her and making off with her service rifle and ammunition. This incident, occurring during a heavy downpour, marked the beginning of a troubling trend.

Subsequent attacks include the brazen daylight robbery of a businessman in Lalogi town, where over Shs 10 million was taken. Days later, a food vendor narrowly survived an attack when gunmen reportedly fired at her and her boda boda rider, injuring the rider. The wave continued with the fatal shooting of a mobile money agent in Koch-Ongako Trading Centre, Omoro District, during a robbery shortly after 8:00 pm. Eyewitnesses described the attackers arriving on a motorcycle and opening fire inside the shop, killing the agent and injuring two customers.

In Gulu City, a security guard was killed at LT Energy Petrol Station on May 5, and a businessman was fatally shot on May 15 during an attempted shop break-in. Despite ongoing joint operations between the police and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), no suspects have been apprehended, and the firearms used in the attacks, including the stolen police rifle, remain unrecovered.

Security sources suggest these attacks may be linked to armed cartels operating across several sub-regions. The rising gun violence has instilled fear among residents and the business community, prompting calls for increased security measures. Investigations into all incidents are actively underway, though details remain limited due to operational sensitivities.

This article is based on reporting from the Daily Monitor.