Army deploys helicopter gunship as over 60 inmates break out of Moroto Prison

SECURITY   PRISON BREAK

MOROTO - Two security personnel, a prison warder and policeman have been shot and injured as they hunted for over 60 prisoners who stole 14 guns from the prison armoury and escaped from Moroto Government Prison on Wednesday afternoon.

A joint team of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Uganda Police Force joined the Uganda Prison Services in the hunt for the inmates.

A prisoner who was among the escapees was shot dead and two magazines recovered.

UPDF 3rd Division Commander Brigadier Joseph Balikuddembee and Mt. Moroto Regional Police Commander, Gerald Twishimye, are commanding a team of security personnel to counter the fugitives.

Efforts to get a comment from the Uganda Prisons Spokesperson Frank Baine have proved futile. Twishimye described the situation as unfortunate but declined to give further details.

3rd Division Spokesperson, Major Peter Mugisa confirmed the prisoners had broken out of the prison facility. "We were called to give support. Prisons will give you further details," Mugisa noted.

Three helicopters have been deployed to assist in the hunt including a helicopter gunship.

Images captured aboard the choppers showed prisoners still dressed in their yellow uniforms scattered in the shrubs.