By Our Reporter
Residents of Butingu Village, Nabitsikhi Sub-county in Manafwa district are still in shock after a one Brian Mukoni, a peasant farmer in the area was shot dead as the Police tried to disperse a mob that had descended on Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officers who had intercepted suspected smugglers.
According to reports, the chaos erupted after the URA team stopped a car suspected to be carrying smuggled goods into the country at Busumbu, along the Mbale–Lwakhakha road.
Upon arrest, a group of suspected smugglers on motorcycles began to chase the URA officials who were driving a saloon car until Buwasibi Cell where a mob gathered and started throwing stones at the URA vehicle.
During the ensuing chaos police and army teams were called in to calm the situation, however during the operation, Mukoni was shot dead by a stray bullet and passed away shortly at the scene which enraged the mob furthermore leading to the torching of the URA team’s vehicle.
The Elgon Region Police Spokesperson Rogers Taitika, confirmed the incident, stating that inquiries are underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack and the shooting.
“We regret the loss of life and are investigating how the stray bullet hit the deceased. The URA officials were carrying out their lawful duties when they were attacked. We urge the public to remain calm as we establish the facts” he said.
