Police in the Aswa West River Region have recovered an AK47 rifle and 62 rounds of ammunition from the home of a suspected gang leader who was shot dead by security personnel in Gulu District in June. The firearm, which had been stolen from a female police officer attached to Lalogi Police Station in Omoro District, was recovered on Sunday at Barolemo Village, Kalumu Parish, Paicho Sub-county, from the home of the late Daniel Komakech.
Komakech was shot dead by security personnel on June 19, 2026, after reportedly resisting arrest. Police had linked him to the theft of the firearm, registration number UG POL 48014235-15938, and several cases of aggravated robbery across the Acholi Sub-region. In a statement issued on Monday, Patrick Jimmy Okema, the Acting Aswa West Police Public Relations Officer, said the firearm was discovered by Komakech’s brother, Richard Otim, while clearing bushes around the deceased’s home.
Otim reportedly stumbled upon the gun, which had been wrapped in a white polythene bag and concealed under a tree. He subsequently notified security personnel, who inspected the scene and recovered the firearm alongside two additional magazines containing 26 and six rounds of ammunition. “Upon recovery and examination, the firearm was identified as the very SMG stolen from Lalogi Police Station. Although it had rusted, its serial numbers remained clearly visible,” Okema said.
Police investigations indicate that the firearm was stolen from Police Constable Beatrice Awor on May 11, 2026. According to police reports, two unidentified assailants attacked the officer at about 8:30 pm while she was asleep and took her firearm, which was loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition. Okema said preliminary investigations had established that the theft was masterminded by Oscar Ojok, a resident of Lalogi Sub-county in Omoro District, who allegedly worked with Komakech.
Ojok was arrested on June 19 alongside another suspect, Vincent Opiro, a resident of Nwoya District. The two have reportedly been charged with aggravated robbery and murder before the Army Court Martial and remanded. Several parts of the Acholi Sub-region, particularly Nwoya, Omoro, Gulu City and Gulu District, experienced a wave of aggravated robberies earlier this year, some of which police have linked to the suspects. At least two people were killed and ten motorcycles stolen in May alone during a series of gun-related attacks in Gulu and Omoro districts-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
