Fear after gunmen kill four people

By Nelson Kiva in Kyankwanzi

There is a sense of mounting fear and panic in the districts of Kyankwanzi and Kibaale after four people were shot dead by armed men this week.

On Wednesday night, two cattle traders were killed along the Kyankwanzi-Hoima highway after the truck they were travelling in was shot at by robbers.

The criminal investigations officer in Kyankwanzi district identified the victims as Abusil Kamara and Banton Alinayo, aged 20.

They were traveling back to Hoima in a Fuso lorry truck from Lubiri market in Kyankwanzi sub-county when they were attacked at Kalagi trading center.

According to a statement written by the driver of the ill-fated truck, Julius Ayesiga, the suspected robbers were driving in a Pick-up vehicle. Moments later, they pursued them and opening fire in an attempt to make the truck driver stop.

During the shooting, the two traders who were on the back of the truck were shot at.

One of them, Alinayo, reportedly died instantly while his mate, Kamara, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Hoima regional referral hospital.

Police launched investigations into the deadly incident.

In response the attack, police urged traders to hire security guards when they travel to and from markets because thieves expect them to have lots of money during that time.

Held at 'gunpoint'

In a related incident, gunmen on Thursday night shot two people dead and injured another in Kakindo sub-county, Kibaale district, during a robbery at a store.

One of those killed was 22-year-old Annet Businge and the other, John Bosco Magezi, 16.

 The owner of the store survived with injuries during the attack. He is Joseph Businge, a produce dealer. All the three victims – the duo killed and the survivor – are from the same family.

Lying on his sick bed at Kakindo health center IV, Businge said he was put at gunpoint by the robbers who demanded for money or kill him.

Not contented with the sh20, 000 that all Businge had on him, they insisted he takes them to his house to get more money.

But his wife Annet, whom he was with at the store at the time, allegedly tried to raise an alarm upon seeing the men with Businge.

The gunmen reacted by shooting Annet in the back. Teenager Magezi then tried to wrestle down one of the gunmen. But he ended up being shot by the thieves who hurriedly vanished from the scene that was attracting attention.

They scampered off while firing several shots in the air to deter anyone from trying to follow them.

 Magezi died on his way to Kakindo Health center IV.

The Kibaale and Kyankwanzi brutality came just days after the issuing of a security alert by the Albertine region Police commander, Charles Ssebambulide last week.

According to the alert, police were  worried about three missing guns stolen from police and private security guards and thought to be in the hands of criminals.