Mob murders cop, deserts village

By Joseph Wanzusi

Two people, including a Police officer, died Tuesday afternoon when an operation to arrest a suspect in Buwesa village, Namisa parish of Bubutu sub-county in Manafwa district went wrong.

Eastern region Police spokesperson Diana Nandaula identified the deceased as detective corporal Geoffrey Adukai,47,  attached to Bubutu Police Post and 17-year old Michael Wanamboko.

Nandaula said Adukai, in the company of two community crime preventers, John Lufarura and Steven Mulako, set out on a mission to arrest a suspect identified as James Murunga who was being accused of threatening violence.

“When the trio arrived in Buwesa village, the suspect fled prompting the Police to shoot in the air, but a stray bullet hit and killed Wanamboko,” Nandaula said.

“A rowdy mob allegedly pounced on the three Police personnel killing Adukai on the spot and seriously injuring Lufarura,” she said.

She said after killing the Police detective, the enraged mob grabbed the gun from Lufarura, but later abandoned it a few metres away from where the bodies of Adukai and Wanamboko lay.

She said the mob went on to torch a Police motorcycle Reg. No UP 3623. She said Lufarura is now admitted to Chrisco Hospital in a critical condition while Mulako managed to escape from the mob unhurt.

Nandaula, who condemned the act, said nine people have so far been arrested while the Police are supporting the family of Wanamboko with burial arrangements as investigations into the incident continue.

She named the nine suspects being held at Lwakhakha Police Station as Patrick Namisi, Damascus Katami, Michael Wanata, Charles Namisi, Robert Wafula, Martin Mabonga, Joseph Musabi and Paul Nakhaima, all residents of Namisa Parish in Bubutu sub-county.

Nandaula said when Police reinforcements arrived in the now deserted village, they found residents fleeing with their household property and most of the houses were locked except that of the boy who was hit by the stray bullet.