A businessman in Agago District has been shot dead by an unknown gunman in Kalongo Town Council.
The deceased has been identified as Morish Ocana, a businessman from Kalongo Town Council in Agago North Constituency.
Agago Resident District Commissioner James Nabinson Kidega said the attack happened at around 7pm on Tuesday. Ocana had reportedly locked his shop and was heading home when an armed robber confronted him.
The attacker demanded a bag believed to contain money, but Ocana declined to hand it over.
“It`s true, the man had just locked his shop and was going home when the man approached him and demanded that he give the bag, which is believed to be containing money.” Mr Kidega said.
He added: “The businessman resisted, but the assailant, who had hidden the pistol at his back, pulled it and shot at him before fleeing the scene with the bag of money.”
Security Search Underway
Mr Kidega said it remained unclear whether the gunman acted alone or had accomplices nearby.
He explained that the attacker fled on foot after the shooting.
By press time, security teams had cordoned off some entry and exit points in the area. They had also intensified a search for the suspect.
Mr Kidega said the attackers could be linked to armed assailants who have recently terrorised parts of the Acholi Sub-region.
Recent Shootings in Acholi
The killing comes amid a wave of armed violence in Acholi. Several people have been killed or injured in recent months.
On May 11, unknown assailants raided Lalogi police station during a heavy downpour. The attack happened at around 8:30pm.
The assailants broke into the unit of one of the officers, aged 50, strangled her, grabbed her gun and fled.
On May 27, gunmen robbed a businessman in Lalogi Town Council, less than 200 metres from Lalogi police station in Omoro District. They escaped with Shs10m.
A few days later, three armed robbers reportedly opened fire on a food vendor and a boda-boda rider in Rom Cell, Abuga Parish, Abuga Sub-county, also in Omoro District.
On June 3, residents of Koch Ongako Trading Centre in Koch Ongako Sub-county, Omoro District, were left in shock after three armed men raided a mobile money shop.
The attackers killed its agents before fleeing with an unspecified amount of money.
Gun Attacks Reported in Gulu
Gulu District and Gulu City have also recorded violent gun attacks.
On May 5, unknown assailants shot dead a security guard attached to Samurai Security Services. He had been deployed at LT Energy Petrol Station in Laliya Trading Centre, Kasubi Ward, Gulu City.
On May 16, armed robbers shot dead Wilfred Ojok at Paromo Cell, Paduny Parish, Awach Town Council in Gulu District.
On April 30, Michael Komakech, a mason in Gulu City, lost Shs3 million to an armed boda-boda rider at Wii Layibi, a suburb of Gulu City.
On May 2, armed robbers waylaid Morris Onen Onna at Forgod in Gulu City. They robbed him of his motorcycle, UG Boss registration number UFM 917 C.
On May 5, Fedenaldo Ocora, a boda-boda rider, was robbed of his motorcycle, registration number UGD 940O. The attack happened in Keyi B Cell, Gulu City.
The army has linked the attackers to armed cartels operating across Lango, West Nile and Acholi sub-regions.
Fourth Infantry Division Commander Maj Gen Felix Busizoori said efforts had been put in place. He said security forces were determined to apprehend the culprits.