(Tororo) – Police have arrested a man in Tororo District after a woman, claiming to be under spiritual possession, disclosed the location of an illegal firearm hidden under a bed. The arrest led to the recovery of a loaded SMG rifle, adding to recent operations aimed at curbing illegal gun possession across the country.
On October 26, 2024, at around 5:00 p.m., police in Pereje Cell, Pereje Ward of Apokor Town Council, received a tip-off from Nyapendi Josephine. Nyapendi claimed that, while possessed by holy spirits during a prayer session led by Onyapidi Alfonse, she felt compelled to reveal the location of a hidden firearm. Police subsequently discovered an SMG rifle with one bullet chambered under the bed of Emodo Vincent, the suspect.
In addition to the rifle, police uncovered a magazine containing 29 rounds of ammunition during a thorough search of Vincent’s residence. However, Vincent was not present at the time of the search, having reportedly fled the area to avoid arrest. He was apprehended the following day, October 27, 2024.
| Date | Location | Suspect | Firearm | Ammunition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 26, 2024 | Pereje Cell, Tororo | Emodo Vincent | SMG Rifle | 29 rounds |
| October 27, 2024 | Lokwapo, Kaabong | Akol Lopus | SMG Rifle | 12 rounds |
At a joint security briefing held in Kampala on October 28, Uganda Police Force spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke provided further details. He explained that the unusual circumstances of the tip-off made the case unique and highlighted the role of community cooperation in police efforts. “This is a case where local cooperation brought critical information to law enforcement,” he stated.
In a separate operation on October 27, 2024, police received intelligence regarding a gun sale in Lokwapo village, Kaabong District. Police, supported by personnel from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), conducted an undercover sting operation that led to the arrest of Akol Lopus. Posing as buyers, officers approached Lopus, who attempted to sell them a semi automatic machine gun (SMG) loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition.
Following his arrest, Lopus was handed over to military authorities for trial under Uganda’s People’s Defence Act of 2005, which restricts firearm possession to military personnel. The act allows civilians found with illegal firearms to be tried in a military court, with potential penalties including life imprisonment.
The Uganda Police Force encouraged continued public assistance in identifying illegal firearm holders, noting that such cases often rely on community cooperation for successful intervention.
