Prison break: Seven fugitives captured, 209 missing

Sep 17, 2020

The New Vision has learnt that top prison bosses have left for Moroto to investigate circumstances surrounding the escape and further assist in tracking down the fugitives.

PRISON BREAK   SECURITY

MOROTO - The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has called for calm as they assist the Uganda Prison Services and Uganda Police pursue Moroto Prison suspects who broke out on Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki confirmed the number of prisoners who broke out of the facility to be 219 and that UPDF under the direct Command of 3rd Division Commander Brig. Joseph Balikuddembe was pursuing the escapees.

"Employing both the infantry and airpower, UPDF pursued the escapees towards Mountain Moroto in areas of Tapach. Seven of the escapees were captured," Akiiki said.

Akiiki also confirmed that in the hot pursuit, an exchange of fire ensued leaving three escapees dead and one soldier gunned down. "His struggle was not in vain as he died fighting to restore peace and justice to his motherland. We celebrate his life and heroism," Akiiki added.

He confirmed 15 rifles had been stolen from the prison and had not yet been recovered. "The pursuit to re-arrest the escapees and recovering the gun is still ongoing," Akiiki further stated.

He called for calm as the army pursued the escapees and appealed to the people of Moroto, Napak, Matany and neighbouring districts to be vigilant and inform the leaders, police or the military of anybody they suspect to be alien in their area.

Akiiki further confirmed that some of the escapees were armed and had fused with the communities abandoning the prison uniform. "Security calls upon collaboration with the public in this effort. UPDF and sister agencies will continue the search to re-arrest the prisoners.

The New Vision has learnt that top prison bosses had also left for Moroto to investigate circumstances surrounding the escape and further assist in tracking down the fugitives.

On Thursday morning, the Commissioner-General of Prison Dr Johnson Byabashaija noted that some of the prisoners who had escaped on Wednesday from Moroto Government prison were COVID-19 contacts who were waiting for their results.

Sources who spoke to the New Vision attributed the prison break to failure in the prison authorities to invest in intelligence and also stress among prisoners after the prison was partially locked down after 30 inmates tested positive for Covid-19. Those that tested positive were transferred to Jinja while the rest were quarantined.

Three helicopters were deployed on Wednesday to assist in the hunt including a helicopter gunship and images captured aboard the choppers showed prisoners still dressed in their yellow uniforms scattered in the shrubs in different directions as they climbed the mountain.

The search was however called off at night and resumed on Thursday morning. There had also been reinforcements for both the army, police and prison authority to ensure the fugitives are apprehended.

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