Three Killed, One Injured in Night Attack in Adjumani as Police Launch Investigation

Adjumani April 11, 2026 - Police in Adjumani District are investigating a deadly overnight attack that left three people dead and one seriously injured in Ukusijoni Sub-county, as security forces intensify efforts to track down the assailants and calm rising tensions in the area. According to a police incident report registered at Adjumani Central Police Station under CRB 191/2026, the attack occurred at around 2:30 a.m. on April 10, 2026, in Ofua East, Rubangabini Village. The victims have been identified as Annah Abiria (48) and Susan Unzia (56), both residents of Acimari East in Ewafa, Obongi District, and Karulino Mamawi (64) from Onyire Afoji in Moyo District. Police said one of the bodies had not yet been recovered from nearby bushland at the time of reporting. A fourth victim, Pastore Moroga (50), a farmer from Iyiri Village in Ukusijoni Sub-county, survived the attack but sustained injuries and is receiving treatment at Adjumani General Hospital. North West Nile regional police spokesperson SP Collins Asea confirmed the incident, saying preliminary investigations point to an armed group that attacked residents using bows, arrows, and machetes before fleeing through the Zoka Forest. “We strongly condemn this act of violence. Our teams responded promptly, but the suspects had already fled the scene. However, five individuals armed with bows and arrows have been apprehended to assist with ongoing investigations,” Asea said. He added that joint security forces, including the army, assisted in rescuing the injured victim and have launched a manhunt for other suspects believed to be at large. Police and local investigators have visited the scene, while the bodies of the deceased have been taken to Adjumani General Hospital for postmortem examinations. A search operation is ongoing to recover the missing body despite difficult terrain conditions. Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and avoid retaliatory actions, calling instead for peaceful coexistence and cooperation with ongoing investigations. “We urge both communities to remain calm and avoid retaliatory actions. Matters of this nature must be handled through lawful means as investigations continue,” Asea added. The incident has renewed concerns over recurring inter-community tensions in parts of the West Nile sub-region, with leaders calling for stronger dialogue and preventive security measures. Conclusion The period between April 6 and 19, 2026, portrays Uganda as a country pursuing an ambitious economic transformation agenda while navigating mounting political and social scrutiny. Authorities have intensified efforts to position the country as a regional investment hub, actively courting foreign capital-particularly from China and European partners-and strengthening bilateral engagement with countries such as Rwanda. These initiatives are anchored in Uganda’s long-term “tenfold growth strategy,” which aims to expand the economy to approximately US$500 billion by 2040 through the ATMS framework-Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing, and Science & Technology. Recent milestones, including the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and the rollout of the National IP Peering Exchange, signal a dual focus on reinforcing financial resilience and accelerating digital infrastructure development. However, this economic momentum is unfolding alongside notable governance and policy challenges. The incoming 12th Parliament has generated cautious optimism around potential opposition cohesion but also drawn criticism over its unprecedented size-556 members-and the capacity of a legislature with a high proportion of first-time MPs. At the same time, fiscal policy decisions have triggered public debate, particularly the allocation of 100 million Ugandan shillings to legislators, which critics argue contrasts sharply with funding gaps in critical sectors such as education. Legislative developments have also raised concern. The proposed sovereignty bill has sparked debate over potential state overreach into private life and its possible implications for diaspora remittances, a key source of external financing. Externally, while Uganda continues to benefit from relatively lower fuel prices compared to regional peers-largely due to procurement reforms-the country remains exposed to global oil market volatility, particularly amid geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains. Ultimately, Uganda’s progress toward its 2040 transformation agenda will depend on its ability to convert macroeconomic stability and rising foreign investment into tangible outcomes, notably job creation and poverty reduction. Sustained success will require a careful balance between asserting national policy priorities and maintaining an open civic space, alongside strengthening transparency and efficiency in public investment management. By Jeff Buleli