Two wounded as security officers disperse crowd during Yumbe URA operation

By Peter Luzinda 

 

YUMBE — Two people sustained gunshot wounds when security personnel escorting Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officers allegedly opened fire to disperse a crowd during an enforcement operation in Kulikulinga Town Council.

The incident occurred at about 9am on Thursday, September 24, 2026, as the URA team carried out an operation targeting unregistered motorcycles and suspected smuggling.

Preliminary police findings indicate that the officers encountered a group of youths who allegedly resisted the operation and began throwing stones and other objects at the enforcement team.

The confrontation reportedly escalated, prompting Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel accompanying the URA officers to fire shots in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

Two people, aged 21 and 16, were injured.

The victims were rushed to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital in Kuru for treatment. Their identities have not been disclosed.

 

Police investigate shooting

 

The incident has been recorded as a case of unlawful wounding at Yumbe Police Station under reference Yumbe GEF 019/2026.

Collins Asea, the Madi Sub-region police spokesperson, said investigators had begun gathering evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The two victims have recorded statements with police, while an eyewitness has also given a statement.

Police issued PF3 medical forms to the injured people to facilitate medical examination and documentation of their injuries.

Investigators are expected to establish what happened during the confrontation, including the circumstances that led to the discharge of firearms and the identities of those who fired the shots.

Police have not indicated whether the two injured people were part of the group allegedly throwing stones or were among other people in the area.

The URA operation was aimed at identifying unregistered motorcycles and curbing suspected smuggling activities.

The incident comes against the background of previous tensions surrounding enforcement operations in Yumbe, where efforts to curb smuggling and enforce vehicle-related regulations have sometimes faced resistance.

Police, however, have not yet attributed any wrongdoing to the two injured people in connection with the current case.

Further inquiries are expected to include additional witness statements and medical evidence as investigators reconstruct the events.

The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been announced in connection with the shooting.