Police officer loses gun after an attack in Serere
By Sharon Tibenda
18th Feb 2011
A police officer in Serere has been into unconsciousness and his gun stolen after he tried to intervene in a scuffle between NRM and FDC supporters at Kamod trading centre.
The Mid Eastern Police spokesperson, Mr Juma Hassan Nyene, said the officer, Corporal Augustine Olupot, had rushed to the scene to rescue the situation when an unknown person who emerged from the crowd slashed him with a machete on the forehead.
A witness on the ground told Uganda Correspondent that the FDC group bumped into NRM supporters who were carrying unspecified items that they intended to distribute to voters in the area. Other reports indicate that both groups were carrying some items. “…The clash was serious. Our forces had got there when the FDC and NRM supporters turned against them and our officer sustained a deep injury on the head in the process”, Mr Juma Nyene said.
The police Spokesperson also confirmed that the injured police officer’s gun was taken by somebody from the rowdy group. He however said one suspect had already been apprehended in connection with the theft of the gun although others fled. “…Others have taken off but we have got very good intelligence that will enable us recover the stolen gun”, Mr Nyene said.