Police in Bukwo District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting of a suspected habitual phone thief during an attempted arrest in Brim Sub-county. The deceased, identified as Ramathan, an adult resident of Brim Sub-county, was shot dead on Sunday, August 9, 2026, after he allegedly attacked police officers with a stone and a panga.
Sipi Region Police spokesperson Fredmark Chesang said the incident followed an operation to arrest Ramathan in connection with a phone theft case. According to Chesang, Ramathan fled after seeing the officers, abandoning his motorcycle. Police recovered the motorcycle and took it to the premises of the Brim Sub-county LC III chairperson for safe custody.
Ramathan’s mother later arrived and claimed the motorcycle, but police said he subsequently returned to the area armed with a panga and a stone. Chesang said Ramathan confronted the officers and allegedly threatened them before hitting one of the officers on the head with a stone. “His mother tried to restrain him, but he continued advancing towards the officers and hit one of the officers on the head with a stone,” Chesang said.
Police said the officers fired warning shots into the air to deter him, but he allegedly continued advancing while wielding the panga. Chesang said the officers then shot Ramathan in the chest in self-defence. He was rushed to Bukwo General Hospital but died from his injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival. The three police officers involved in the operation — Awio Moses, Oluka Emmanuel and Mwesi Fred — have been arrested to assist with investigations into the shooting.
A boda boda rider, Jonnah Kiplangat, who allegedly transported the officers to the scene, has also been arrested. Police said the arrests are intended to help establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Ramathan’s body is at Bukwo General Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem examination. Brim Sub-county LC III Chairperson Ben Siya confirmed the incident and urged residents to cooperate with security officers during arrests.
“It is unfortunate that we have lost a soul. But suspects should cooperate with security because arrest does not mean someone is guilty. This incident calls upon our community to desist from attacking security officers during operations,” Siya said. Siya urged residents who believe an arrest is unlawful or unjustified to use legal channels to challenge it rather than resisting security officers-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
