Gunmen kill Agago businessman as wave of armed violence terrorises Acholi Sub-region

Security forces in Agago District have cordoned off key entry and exit points following the Tuesday evening shooting of a prominent businessman in Kalongo Town Council, Agago North Constituency.The deceased, identified as Morish Ocana, was targeted by an unknown gunman at around 7:00 PM just moments after closing his retail shop.

The Agago Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. James Nabinson Kidega, confirmed the incident, stating that the assailant confronted Mr. Ocana as he was walking home and demanded a bag believed to contain the day’s cash hand-ins.

"It is true, the man had just locked his shop and was heading home when the suspect approached him and demanded the bag. The businessman resisted, prompting the assailant, who had concealed a pistol behind his back, to draw the weapon and shoot him," Mr. Kidega said.The gunman reportedly fled the scene on foot with the bag of money."It remains unclear whether the shooter was operating alone or had accomplices waiting nearby, but a security search has been intensified to apprehend the suspect," the RDC added.

Mr. Kidega linked the attack to a notorious syndicate of armed thugs that has increasingly terrorised the Acholi Sub-region over the last two months.The incident in Kalongo adds to a grim tally of gun-related crimes across Agago, Omoro, and Gulu districts, which have left several people dead, others nursing severe injuries, and businesses robbed of millions of shillings.

Security sources indicate that the attackers have frequently targeted mobile money agents, local traders, and security personnel to acquire both cash and weapons.The sub-region has faced unprecedented armed violence recently. On May 11, unknown thugs raided Lalogi Police Station in Omoro District during a heavy downpour, strangled a 50-year-old female officer, and fled with her firearm.

Barely two weeks later, on May 27, robbers struck a business premises just 200 metres from the same police station, making off with Shs10 million. This was followed by an incident in Rom Cell, Abuga Sub-county, where a three-man gang sprayed bullets at a food vendor and a boda-boda rider.The lawlessness escalated on June 3 when armed men raided a mobile money shop at Koch Ongako Trading Centre, killing the agent on the spot before fleeing with an unspecified amount of money.

The wave has similarly battered Gulu District and Gulu City:• April 30: Michael Komakech, a local mason, was robbed of Shs3 million by an armed boda-boda cyclist at Wii Layibi.• May 2 & 5: Two separate motorcycle robberies were executed at gunpoint at Forgod and Keyi B