Joint security forces in Nabilatuk District have re-arrested a suspected notorious warrior who escaped from police custody last week, as operations intensify to recover an illegal firearm believed to be in the hands of one of his accomplices. The suspect, identified as Atyama Mangat, a resident of Lopwatagate Village in Lolachat Sub-county, is accused of terrorising residents alongside other armed men.
According to police, community members had earlier apprehended Mangat and handed him over to police. However, he later escaped from custody, prompting a manhunt. On July 15, 2026, a joint security team from Sakale mounted an operation in the Nabwal area, where Mangat was tracked down and arrested at his hideout. Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson Mike Longole confirmed the re-arrest, saying the suspect is being held under tight security.
Longole said information obtained during interrogation has led security agencies to launch follow-up operations aimed at recovering an illegal firearm allegedly in the possession of one of Mangat’s associates. He said authorities believe that recovering the weapon and arresting the accomplice will significantly improve security, noting that the group has been responsible for repeated attacks in Lolachat and neighbouring sub-counties.
“Joint Security Forces have intensified operations in Lolachat and neighbouring sub-counties to ensure recovery of illegal guns and to restore peace,” Longole said. He commended residents of Lopwatagate and Sakale for cooperating with security agencies and urged the public to continue reporting individuals suspected of illegally possessing firearms. Local elder Paul Abura of Lorengedwat Trading Centre welcomed the community’s growing willingness to hand over suspected criminals to security agencies.
He said insecurity had persisted for years because of a local practice known as Emuk ekekile—meaning “cover the man”—where community members shielded suspected criminals instead of exposing them. According to Abura, the practice made it difficult for security agencies to identify offenders and often resulted in cordon-and-search operations that disrupted normal community life.
“I’m happy that the community is now starting to realize the importance of peace by reporting wrongdoers to the authorities. I now implore village chairpersons to also report stolen animals kept in their villages. We need transparency to get rid of insecurity,” Abura said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
