Oyam man shot during police operation at prayer meeting

8 May 2026, 12:32 pm

By Winnie Auma

A 26-year-old man was shot and injured by police during a prayer gathering in Acaba Sub-county, Oyam District.The incident happened on May 7, 2026, at around 1pm in Barojul Village, Atek Ober Parish.

According to the LC1 Chairperson of the area, Francis Owani, police officers accompanied by a UPDF soldier raided the prayer gathering allegedly to arrest his son, Ambrose Okello, for unclear reasons.

Owani claimed the officers arrived heavily armed and did not inform local leaders before carrying out the operation. He alleged that during the confrontation, one of the officers shot Okello in the leg.

The clan chief of Arak Caba, Dick Ogwal, who organized the prayers, said the gathering was intended to fight witchcraft in the community. However, he accused police of using excessive force while dispersing worshippers.

Ogwal further alleged that after the shooting, police fled the scene but later arrested Okello and three other people who were taking the injured man to Anyeke Health Centre IV for treatment.

However, the North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, Jimmy Patrick Okema, said police intervention followed earlier reports of arson and assault linked to similar prayer sessions held on May 4 in Tegacia Village, Acaba Sub-county.

Okema explained that during earlier prayers led by Pastor Ocen Ocen, some participants allegedly became spiritually possessed and accused a woman identified as Adongo Christine of practicing witchcraft.

He said the group allegedly burnt Adongo’s house and assaulted her husband, Mugume Robert. Another house belonging to a suspected witch was also reportedly set on fire.

According to Okema, police were alerted on May 7 by a UPDF soldier, Ronald Ajiwa, who reported that similar prayers were continuing in the area.

Police say that when officers arrived to stop the gathering and assess the situation, the crowd turned violent by throwing stones and attempting to attack the soldier.

Okema said officers fired bullets in the air to disperse the crowd, but a stray bullet injured Ambrose Okello in the leg.He added that after police withdrew, the mob allegedly attacked the UPDF soldier’s home, threatened his family, and destroyed property.

Police have since opened a case of malicious damage and assault, arrested three suspects, and taken the injured man to Anyeke Health Centre IV for treatment as investigations continue.