Thugs hit Mbarara cooperative, kill two guards
Police in Mbarara is investigating circumstances under which two security guards were killed on Sunday after unknown assailants attacked a local cooperative.
According to Rwizi Region Police spokesperson, ASP Samson Kasasira, the deceased were guarding Nyakayojo People’s SACCO located in Karama 1 cell Rwakishakizi ward Nyakayojo Division Mbarara City.
The incident happened over the weekend (Sunday) when the as-yet-unidentified assailants attacked Nyakayojo SACCO with the suspected aim of robbing its property.
“Today 11th October at about 0700hrs we received information from Nyakayojo Police Post that two security guards guarding at Nyakayojo People’s SACCO were found dead,” Kasasira said.
The spokesperson said a team of investigators including the Rwizi Regional Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO), canine and homicide investigators rushed to the scene to begin inquiries into the incident.
The deceased were identified as Herbert Tugume aged 22 a resident of Kitabo cell in Kashongi Sub County, Kiruhura district, and 22-year old Igga Budalla from Buteraniro Nyeihanga Rwampara district, both attached to Securiwise Security Company Ltd.
According to the police, two guards were stuck with blunt objects that led to their death on spot. Kasasira further disclosed that a rifle with three rounds and a baton were recovered at the scene.
He said the assailants first destroyed the CCTV camera at the cooperative before breaking into the co-op’s premises to steal a 32-inch LG television, an HP laptop, Network router and a TECNO Pop 2 mobile phone.
However, the SACCO money was not taken after the assailants attempted but apparently failed to break into the safe.
“Cash in the strong room was found intact because the safe was too strong for the thieves to break into,” said one of the SACCO’s employees.
Nyakayojo people’s SACCO is one of the leading financial cooperatives in Mbarara, with a total turnover of more than Shs 2 bn.
Attempts by theCooperator to reach the SACCO’s Manager for comment on the incident were unfruitful as he repeatedly turned down our calls.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Mbarara Regional Referral hospital for post-mortem.
Kasasira says no arrests have been made so far, but investigations are ongoing.
He advised financial institutions to employ competently trained security personnel to guarantee the safety of their members’ savings.
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