One killed, three injured in foiled attack on a Kasese prison

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Security agencies in Kasese are investigating an attempted raid on a Kasese prison in which one of the assailants was killed and two soldiers and a prison officer were injured.

Confirming the incident Saturday in his Kasese Municipality-based office, the Resident District Commissioner, who doubles as chairperson of the district security committee, Lt (rtd) Joe Walusimbi, told New Vision online that the April 30 evening incident occurred at around 8:30 pm when unknown assailants attempted to attack Ibuga Prison in the Kitswamba sub-county lowland areas, Busongora county north constituency, adjacent to Kibale National Park.

Lt Walusimbi explained that the injured included a UPDF Commander at Ibuga detachment, who sustained a cut on the head.

Walusimbi added that the injured were trying to engage the assailants to prevent them from breaking into the prison.

"One of the officers jumped off from the motorcycle on which he and a colleague were moving and attacked one of the assailants, killing him instantly," Walusimbi said.

"The injured officers continue to receive treatment at Municipal Health Centre III, where the body of the unidentified assailant was also taken for identification.

"We believe the other assailants, whose number is not yet known, ran towards Kibale National Park, but our army is on the ground to establish the identities and motive of these negative elements as soon as possible," Walusimbi said he added.

Walusimbi, however, assured the residents of Kitswamba sub-county and Kasese in general of ample security, urging them to be vigilant and report suspicious people to security and local leaders in their community.

The incident occurred as the district was preparing for celebrations commemorating her golden jubilee of existence since 1974, when Uganda’s third President, Idi Amin, granted Kasese a district status in April that year.

The colourful function, held at Nyakasanga playground, Kasese Municipality, was presided over by former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Wilson Mbadi Mbasu, on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni.

What others said

The Kitswamba sub-county LC 3 chairperson, Yofesi Katenene, commended the local residents for working closely with the security, explaining that they had tipped the authorities about suspicious strangers in the area.

“The wananchi reported that there were strangers who were carrying laptop bags loaded with machetes, knives and pangas and immediately alerted the concerned authorities,” Katenene said.

"Above all, remain calm because the situation is being monitored by the UPDF, Uganda Police Forces, Uganda Prisons and UWAQ (Uganda Wildlife Authority),” he said.

He added, “Anyone directly or indirectly linked to the heinous act or involved will be dealt with according to the law.”

But residents plea for safety

A section of residents, headed by Stephen Kyomya, the LC1 Chairperson of Ibuga village, asked security personnel not to take the matter for granted.

Kyomya added that the incident had sparked off fresh fears, given the past attacks that have claimed several lives and loss of property in Kasese district.

Past attacks

They recalled three tragic incidents around May and June last year when suspected rebels of the allied democratic front (ADF) attacked a secondary school in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council, in which over 30 learners were killed and several others abducted.

In June, the rebels ambushed a vehicle carrying a South African couple that was touring Queen Elizabeth National Park, killing the duo and their tour guide and a driver.

Earlier, unknown assailants ambushed an onion-loaded truck heading to the Uganda-DR Congo border, killing the occupants and burning the truck.

Land-related attack?

Some residents in Kasese said the attempted attack on Ibuga prison could be linked to chronic land conflicts between the cultivators and the pastoralists, especially around Nkoko village, where a section of bitter residents have been internally displaced and have been living in a camp for over sixteen years despite efforts to settle the matter.

“The attackers may have been part of the aggrieved, disguising themselves as rebels,” a well-placed source told New Vision online on condition of anonymity.