Manafwa Locals burn URA Vehicle, One Shot Dead in Smuggling Crackdown
By;Weswa Ronnie
A violent confrontation erupted in Butiru Town Council, Manafwa district today Thursday, between Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officers and locals.
The incident occurred when URA officers attempted to enforce anti-smuggling laws, which the community resisted.
According to Rogers Taitika, Elgon region police spokesperson, URA officers were pursuing two individuals suspected of smuggling white flour from Kenya through the Lwakhakha border point in Namisindwa district.
The officers were using a Toyota Harrier vehicle when they were confronted by locals in Butiru Town Council, located on the Namisindwa-Manafwa border.
Taitika says the locals allegedly pelted the URA officers with stones, forcing them to fire shots. One community member only known Rogers was shot dead on the spot.
He adds that the officers were overpowered, and the locals set fire to the URA vehicle, which was completely destroyed.
The police have condemned the violence and confirmed that the deceased has been taken to Mbale City Mortuary for a post-mortem examination. The smugglers managed to escape during the chaos.
