Unknown gunmen have shot dead a security guard in Gulu City and stolen his firearm in an attack that signals a possible resurgence of gun violence in the area.
The deceased has been identified as Ronald Obedi, a security guard from Samurai Security Protective Services Uganda Ltd.
The gunmen shot Obedi at about 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday while on duty at the Stabex Pump fuel Station in Laliya Trading Centre, Bardege-Layibi Division. Eyewitnesses said the assailants, all wearing helmets, had been hiding within the Pump station before launching the attack.
Pastor Michael Ojok, one of the eyewitnesses, told Bossip Africa on Wednesday morning that the attackers fired two bullets at the guard, hitting him in the head and stomach. He said the guard died on the spot.
Ojok explained that he had gone to buy sodas for his children at a nearby supermarket when the incident occurred. While at the station, he noticed two men emerging from behind the administration block, both wearing helmets.
He added that after shooting the guard, the assailants turned their guns on him and fired two more shots. He survived, but another pedestrian whose identity had not been established by press time was hit in the chest. Ojok attributed his survival to divine intervention, saying he narrowly escaped death.
Management at the petrol station declined to comment when approached. Kamba Amiri, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Bardege-Layibi Division, confirmed the incident and said the attackers also stole money and other valuables from the station, although the exact value is yet to be determined. He added that the gun used by the deceased guard was taken by the assailants.
Amiri said police and other security agencies have launched a manhunt for the suspects, including a review of the CCTV footage to identify them.
While acknowledging existing security gaps, he expressed confidence that the attackers would be apprehended.
Amiri also cautioned private security companies against deploying single guards to high-risk locations. Obedi’s body is lying at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem examination.
The incident comes just four days after another robbery in the same division, where unknown assailants attacked a motorist, Morris Onen Onna, at around 9:30 p.m. on May 2 and robbed him of a motorcycle valued at 5.6 million shillings.
