Gulu Police officer stabbed during night patrol, three arrested

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Police in Gulu city have launched a manhunt for a lone assailant who stabbed a special Police constable (SPC) during a security patrol in the early hours of January 5, 2026, morning.

The victim, Samuel Otim Oweka, 30, is currently fighting for his life at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital following the brutal attack in Layibi centre.

Attached to Aywee Police Post, Oweka was part of a patrol team led by Cpl. George Komakech, that intercepted a group of four men at approximately 2:45am. The team, operating in the Pece-Laroo division, had stopped the group to query their late-night movements.

When the officers approached, one of the men fled, causing Oweka to chase him. However, he was found moments later by his colleagues collapsed on the ground with a deep knife wound. The assailant managed to vanish into the darkness.

Investigations and arrests

Aswa West Police region spokesperson David Ongom Mudong said a case of attempted murder has been registered at Gulu East Police Division under CRB 02/2026.

“While the primary suspect remains at large, three other men who were with the assailant at the time of the encounter have been taken into custody,” Mudong told New Vision Online on January 6. He added that the trio is currently being interrogated to help investigators track down the prime suspect.

Forensic search

A high-level security team, including the District Criminal Investigations Officer (D/CID/O) and Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), visited the scene on Monday to gather forensic evidence.

The victim has been issued a Police Form 3 (PF3) while he undergoes emergency treatment. Security remains on high alert across Gulu East Division, and authorities have urged the public to provide any information that could lead to an arrest.