Security agencies in Greater Luweero are hunting for machete wielding men who stabbed two policemen at a checkpoint and made off with their guns.
The attackers, according to witnesses, at around midday attacked the checkpoint erected at Kiwumpa village, five kilometers to Luwero town council, along the Kampala-Gulu highway, before attacking the policemen.
The attackers also torched the pickup truck which had been parked near the checkpoint before they fled the scene with two guns.
One female officer identified as Caroline Kanagwa managed to flee from the attackers and alerted the officers at Luwero Central Police Station.
It is reported that the attackers who were using a white saloon car, stopped at the police checkpoint, pretending to be inquiring something, targeted the officers with guns and killed one, severely injured the other and took the two guns.
A team of police officers and UPDF soldiers led by Living Twazagye, the Luwero District Police Commander, rushed to the scene but found the assailants had taken off.
Twazagye promised to address journalists over the matter but had not done so by press time.
Savannah Region Police Commander, Mr Ignatius Otong confirmed the Monday afternoon attack by unidentified assailants in which the officers’ guns were also stolen.
“We have lost one police officer and the other is fighting for his life at the Hospital. The attackers robbed two police guns and are on the run. The incident happened at 1pm on Monday July 25, 2022,” he said briefly.
One of the stabbed police officers died at Luwero hospital shortly after.
The police have identified the deceased police officer as Ronald Busingye attached to the Police Field Force Unit in Luweero District while the injured police officer has been identified as Joseph Twinamasiko.
A combined force of UPDF and police was by press time combing the area for the suspects and speaking to several residents over the matter.
Several checkpoints have been mounted in the area to trace the attackers.
It was not immediately clear of the motive of the attack.
But a source in security said they could be linked to criminals who erect fake roadblocks and rob people at night.
In April this year, thugs dressed in military fatigues erecting road blocks attacked motorists around Lubowa on the road leading to Ndejje-Lubugumu Township and Kira-Kasangati Road, Nakawuka-Kasanje Road, Kayunga-Ssenge-Kawa Road and Wakiso-Matugga-Kasangati Road.
Security agencies are still investigating where the criminals get their uniforms.