Two brothers have been shot dead by unknown gunmen who opened fire at them as they ferried jerrycans of water into their rented premises in Moroto district.

The shooting, according to the residents, could likely have been targeted.

The duo, having been shot from the back through the chest, were pronounced dead at the scene moments later. The sg fled the scene after the incident under the cover of darkness.

The neighbours have identified the victims, who were shot dead on Monday at about 9:45 pm at Kakoliye close 4 in Moroto municipality, as Julius Wandika, 28 and bodaboda rider Bonny Wanyama, 30, all residents of Nalugugu village in Sironko district.

Friends console the widows over the death of their husbands in Kakolliye slums- Moroto municiplaity.

Wives speak

Babra Nandutu said when her husband, Wanyama came home at about 8:00 pm, there was no water in the house.

“So, he called his brother, Wandika, to accompany him to fetch water on a bodaboda,” she said, adding that when they returned, she went out to help them carry the water into the house.

Nandutu added that as they removed the jerrycans placing them on the ground, four men draped in traditional shukas surfaced from the cover of darkness.

“I took off back into the house as our husbands begged for their lives [to be spared],” she said adding that a few minutes after, a bullet was released.

Nandutu, a mother of a two-month-old baby, said out of fear that she only came out two hours later when she heard the voices of security officers.

Wandika's wife, Zaitun Nabwire, a mother of a one-month-old baby, said when the incident happened, she was asleep inside the house and was just woken up by a gunshot.

MP speaks

Moroto Municipality Member of Parliament , Francis Adome urged the security forces to intensify foot patrols.

“It is unfortunate that this has happened in town,” he said.

What police said

Karamoja region Police spokesperson Mike Longole described the act as a heinous crime that could have occurred during the targeted home invasion.

He, however, said the detectives were on the ground to investigate the matter and that the Police were still hunting for the gunmen.  

Longole urges anyone with information to contact the Police or local leaders to unearth the gang.