Armed robbers gun down 24-year-old shopkeeper in Gulu

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A 24-year-old man was shot dead by armed robbers who stormed his father’s shop in Gulu district in a brazen robbery that has prompted a joint security manhunt.

Wilfred Ojok, a businessman based in Paromo village, Paduny parish in Awach town council, was tending his father Silas Komaketch's shop at around 9:00 pm on May 15, 2026, when two men arrived, reportedly dressed in raincoats.

One of the assailants entered the shop posing as a customer while the other remained outside, holding at gunpoint a group of people who were playing cards on the verandah.

The man inside then lunged at the shop counter and attempted to seize cash from the till. When Ojok resisted and fought back, his accomplice outside opened fire, fatally wounding him.

Ojok was rushed to Awach Health Centre IV but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.

Officers led by the district police commander reached the scene, but by then the attackers had already fled. The scene was cordoned off to prevent contamination pending further examination the following morning.

The body was conveyed to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.

"We condemn these cowardly acts of attacking innocent unarmed civilians," a statement from police read, adding that joint security and intelligence teams were pursuing all available leads.

Members of the public with information regarding the identities or whereabouts of the suspects have been urged to contact the police immediately.