UPDF deserter led deadly Kapchorwa attack - Police

Police have issued a statement explaining circumstances under which the Kapchorwa Police station was attacked on Sunday morning by an armed group. 

In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, the Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said: "This morning at around 12:19 am, a suspected gang of criminals operating in the Mt. Elgon Forest area that straddles the border between Uganda and Kenya, attacked Kapchorwa Police station, in Kapchorwa District, and rescued their colleague, John Chemusaka, who had been arrested in connection with, two aggravated robberies, of guns from Uganda Wildlife Officers on the 29^th February, 2016, in Kween District. The suspect had been transferred from Kween to Kapchorwa Distrcit Police Headquarters." 

"The Police in Kapchorwa responded to the surprise attack and repulsed the attackers, killing one whose body is yet to be identified. One Police Officer, PC Hakim Kaddu, was also killed during the attack, and three others injured, one critically.

These included; IP Jeremiah Musumba, who took a shot to the right thigh, and PC Junior Rukundo, who was hit by a bullet fragment to the chest, and are admitted at Kapchorwa Main Hospital in serious condition. Their colleague, PC Steven Lubega, was transferred in critical condition, after sustaining injuries to the chest and both legs to Mbale Referral Hospital." 

"The preliminary investigation indicates, the attacker's goal of rescuing their colleague was facilitated by a Police Officer, PC Labu Siraje, a born of the area in Ngangata village, Kaptanya Sub-county, Kapchorwa District, and is attached to the Field Force Unit. It is alleged he led the attackers to the heavily protected areas of military cover, where four of the attackers opened rifle fire indiscriminately blocking the military from advancing, and guided the other six to the police cells where they rescued John Chemusaka, and thereafter, to the armoury which they attempted to break in vain. He has been arrested and taken into custody in connection with the incident." 

"The attackers are believed to be under the command of Julius Chelimo, a wanted notorious UPDF deserter, who is actively involved in expanding his gang network by acquiring more guns and recruiting more criminals into his illegal trade.

The suspected gang leader had ever been arrested by Police, following the rampant aggravated robberies along the Eastern axis of Mbale to Karamoja in 2014, and handed over to the Military for prosecution. He however, escaped from Makindye Military barracks, back to his criminal behavior." 

"A joint security operation comprising of the Police, Military and Uganda Wildlife Authority, is ongoing to track the attackers for arrest. Security alerts have been disseminated to all units in the region particularly the Districts of Mbale, Kween, Kapchorwa, and Bukwo which comprise the neighborhood of the Mt. Elgon forest area." 

"As Police, we strongly condemn the attack on our colleagues, and do express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the immediate family and relatives of PC Hakim Kaddu, may his soul rest in peace. We also wish a speedy recovery to the wounded officers. The Police has put resources behind this incident, to ensure culprits, are tracked down, arrested and prosecuted, as we continue in our mission to secure the safety of the public, even through sacrifice. We shall never bow down to any form of threat," Enanga's statement added.