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Sironko LC1 chairperson shot dead as police pursue culvert thieves
Elgon Region Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika said the shooting occurred after police officers responded to a report that suspected thieves were stealing culverts from the Budadiri-Namagumba road, which is under construction by Shandong Company.
During the confrontation, one of the officers reportedly fired a shot into the air in an attempt to disperse the group, but the bullet struck Magumba, killing him instantly.
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
SORONKO - Police in Sironko district have one of their own cops over the shooting death of a local council chairperson during an operation to stop suspected thieves from stealing culverts from a road construction site.
The deceased, identified as Sam Magumba, 34, was the LC1 chairperson of Kigokye Cell, Southern Ward, Mutufu Town Council. He was shot dead at about 4:00am on October 27, 2026.
Elgon Region Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika said the shooting occurred after police officers responded to a report that suspected thieves were stealing culverts from the Budadiri-Namagumba road, which is under construction by Shandong Company.
Preliminary reports indicate that the incident began at about 3:00am when a cell chairperson, Buyama, and his vigilantes reportedly spotted a group of people stealing culverts and reported the matter to Mutufu Police Station for assistance.
A police officer, identified as Nashir Chemonges, attached to Mutufu Town Council Police Station, responded to the scene with two colleagues.
The officers reportedly found some people rolling two culverts. The suspects initially fled upon seeing the officers but later returned with a group of youths armed with pangas and stones.
The group allegedly confronted the officers, throwing boulders and threatening them with pangas. The officers, who had reportedly taken cover while observing the situation, moved to intercept them.
A police officer, identified as Nashir Chemonges, attached to Mutufu Town Council Police Station, responded to the scene with two colleagues.
The officers reportedly found some people rolling two culverts. The suspects initially fled upon seeing the officers but later returned with a group of youths armed with pangas and stones.
The group allegedly confronted the officers, throwing boulders and threatening them with pangas. The officers, who had reportedly taken cover while observing the situation, moved to intercept them.
During the confrontation, one of the officers reportedly fired a shot into the air in an attempt to disperse the group, but the bullet struck Magumba, killing him instantly.
Police subsequently visited the scene with a homicide team, detectives, and uniformed personnel. Detectives recorded statements from relevant witnesses and recovered two culverts plus an SMG rifle with 24 rounds of live ammunition.
The team was led by Sironko District Police Commander Gerald Kaheesi and Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Jude Babwetenga, the district CID officer
Police said investigations were ongoing under Sironko CRB 657/2026.
By press time, Magumba’s body was still at Mbale City mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Police subsequently visited the scene with a homicide team, detectives, and uniformed personnel. Detectives recorded statements from relevant witnesses and recovered two culverts plus an SMG rifle with 24 rounds of live ammunition.
The team was led by Sironko District Police Commander Gerald Kaheesi and Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Jude Babwetenga, the district CID officer
Police said investigations were ongoing under Sironko CRB 657/2026.
By press time, Magumba’s body was still at Mbale City mortuary for a postmortem examination.