By Patrick Okino
Joint security operatives in Northern Uganda have arrested three suspects, including two Rwandan nationals, in connection with the brutal murder of a businessman in Kalongo Town Council, Agago District, more than 100 kilometres east of Gulu City.
The suspects, comprising two Rwandans and one resident of Kalongo, were apprehended on Wednesday, June 10, as investigations into the killing continue.
The Resident District Commissioner of Agago, Nock Kidega, confirmed the breakthrough to Facts Media, saying security agencies moved swiftly after the incident and are intensifying investigations to establish the motive and identify other suspects involved.
The deceased, identified as Moris Ocana, a mobile money agent, was shot dead by an armed assailant on Tuesday night. The attacker reportedly fled with an unspecified amount of money contained in a bag.
According to Kidega, the gunman confronted Ocana shortly after he had closed his business and demanded that he surrender the bag, which was believed to contain cash. When Ocana resisted, the assailant opened fire.
“It was around 8 p.m. when Ocana was closing his shop and preparing to leave on his motorcycle. A man approached him and demanded the bag he was carrying, threatening to shoot him if he did not comply,” Kidega explained.
He said the victim initially survived the first gunshot and attempted to flee with the bag before collapsing about 100 metres from the scene.
“He resisted, prompting the attacker to shoot him. The deceased ran with the bag containing money but collapsed some distance away,” Kidega said.
The RDC added that the suspected robber pursued the victim, fired additional shots, seized the bag and fled. He noted that one of the fatal shots was fired at close range to the head.
“We are tracing more suspects and, so far, we have three people in custody. Two are Rwandese nationals and one is a local resident. We are following several leads,” Kidega said.
He described the attack as highly organised and possibly executed by a trained criminal group.
“This is not an ordinary incident considering the firearm used. We have recovered spent cartridges which will undergo forensic examination to help establish the origin of the weapon and aid investigations,” he said.
Security officers have also recovered clothing believed to have been discarded by the suspect at the scene, which investigators hope will provide additional evidence.
Kidega further revealed that investigators are examining possible links between the Kalongo murder and a series of armed robberies and killings previously reported in the districts of Omoro, Kitgum, Gulu and Nwoya.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies as investigations progress.
Bosco Oyet, the LC III Chairperson of Kalongo Town Council, said he was near the scene when the shooting occurred.
“I heard a gunshot and saw people running. I moved closer to find out what had happened and was informed that Ocana had been shot,” Oyet said.
He added that when he and others approached the area, they found only the victim’s motorcycle.
“We later learned that the suspect emerged from the corridor opposite Ocana’s shop and briefly spoke to him before opening fire,” Oyet said.
According to eyewitness accounts, the first shot was fired while the victim was standing near his motorcycle. He attempted to run but several more gunshots followed moments later.