Police is searching for unknown assailants who attacked a police post in Busia on the Uganda – Kenya border, assaulted an officer and took off with a gun.
In the incident which occured on Sunday night at 10:30 pm, assailants moving on a motorcycle with Kenyan number plates raided Sofia police post before fleeing.
Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima said on Moday that a police officer identified as Police Constable (PC) Stafford Walusansa was assaulted and is currently hospitalized. He is said to be in a stable condition.
Kayima said that amid the rush, the assailants dropped an unmarked pistol along with four rounds of ammunition.
“We suspect that the attackers were Kenyan nationals but we don’t know their motive yet,” Kayima said.
He said that Police is pursuing the criminals and they will be arrested and charged accordingly.
Kayima reminded officers to be vigilant with their safety as well as that of their arms and police stations as criminal elements continue to target them for weapons.
“Of course the police would be a target because we gave guns and criminals want these guns. We have often urged offices to be vigilant,” he said.
This is the second incident in less than three days where police has lost a gun to criminals. Three guns have so far been lost in the three day period.
On Thursday last week, unknown criminals shot and killed two police officers in Kawempe and took off with two guns.
The two officers who were attached to Katwe police station were killed shortly after 8pm on Thursday in Kiza zone, Kawempe division in Kampala.They are said to have been trailed by the assailants, shot dead and their two rifles taken.
These same guns are later used to perpetrate serious crimes like robberies and murders which compromises security.
As a way of tightening officer’s safety and reducing incidents of gun theft, last year, Police chief, Gen Kale Kayihura issued directives for the arrest of all police officers found to be moving in isolation while in possession of guns.
He also instructed officers-in-charge of police stations to ensure that all police officers are transported to and from their residences during late hours.