Police in Busia District have launched investigations into the killing of a municipal law enforcement officer who was allegedly stabbed by a hawker during an operation against illegal street vending.
The deceased has been identified as 64-year-old Efubo Tusker, also known as Master, a resident of Dabani Sub-county in Busia District.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon along Tororo Road in Arubaine ‘A’ Village, Mawero East A Ward, Busia Municipality.
Bukedi South Police Spokesperson Moses Johnson Mugwe said the officer was attacked by a hawker carrying merchandise in a white bucket.
According to Mugwe, the hawker allegedly became violent, drew a knife and repeatedly stabbed Efubo in the stomach.
The officer was rushed to Busia Health Centre IV by police but died shortly after arrival from his injuries.
Mugwe condemned attacks on law enforcement personnel while carrying out their duties and urged residents to refrain from mob action against government officers. He said police had launched a manhunt for the suspect, who remains at large.
Aggrey Efumbi, another municipal law enforcement officer, said they had been deployed by the municipal revenue officer, identified as Nabwire Suzan, to conduct an operation around the park area and remove illegal vendors from the streets of Mawero East A and North C wards.
Efumbi said the deceased approached the hawker to demand local revenue and warn him against illegal vending.
The hawker allegedly turned violent and attacked Efubo before drawing a knife and stabbing him in the stomach.
Efumbi said he attempted to arrest the suspect but was prevented from doing so by a crowd that had gathered at the scene.
By the time of filing this report, the deceased’s body was being held at Busia Health Centre IV mortuary pending a postmortem examination as police continued their investigations-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
