By Karim Were
KYEGEGWA — Three Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) officers were injured and two firearms were reportedly stolen after armed assailants attacked Kyegegwa Government Prison in the early hours of Friday.
According to UPS spokesperson Frank Baine Mayanja, the incident occurred at about **1am** when the assailants allegedly attempted to force their way into the prison facility.
The attackers reportedly targeted three officers who were performing night-sentry duties, injuring them before taking their firearms.
The incident triggered an immediate security response, with other security agencies notified as investigations and efforts to trace the suspects and recover the weapons got underway.
#Three officers injured
The officers injured in the attack have been identified as:
No. 6972 Sergeant Warder Kalisa Titus*
No. 11423 Sergeant Wardress Nakuya Suzan Margret*
No. 12980 Warder Odongo Joshua*
The three officers were rushed to **Kyegegwa General Hospital**, where they were taken for medical treatment.
Details about the extent of their injuries were not immediately provided.
The attack occurred while the officers were carrying out their responsibilities as night sentries, according to the information released by the Uganda Prisons Service.
#Two firearms stolen
During the incident, the assailants reportedly took two firearms belonging to the security personnel.
The firearms were identified as No. UG PRI 563615124** and **No. UG Pol. 565828358.
Each firearm was reportedly loaded with *30 rounds of ammunition**, bringing the total number of rounds stolen to 60.
The loss of firearms and ammunition has heightened the urgency of the security operation to identify the attackers and recover the weapons.
Security agencies are expected to establish how the assailants approached the facility, how the attack was carried out and how they managed to escape with the firearms.
#No prisoner escaped
Despite the attack, the Uganda Prisons Service said there was **no prisoner escape** from Kyegegwa Government Prison.
The facility remained secure after the incident, while security agencies were alerted and investigations launched.
The absence of a prison break means that the immediate security focus is on identifying the attackers, recovering the stolen firearms and determining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
#Security agencies begin investigations
Following the attack, other security agencies were notified and efforts to establish the whereabouts of the suspects began.
Security teams are also searching for the stolen firearms, which remain a major concern because of the ammunition reportedly taken during the incident.
Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the movement of the suspects before and after the incident.
The investigation could also seek information from residents and other people who may have witnessed suspicious movements around the prison during the night.
No suspects had been identified or arrested in the information provided.
#Public asked to provide information
The Uganda Prisons Service has appealed to members of the public with information about the incident to assist security agencies.
Anyone with information that could help identify or apprehend the suspects, or lead to the recovery of the stolen firearms, has been asked to report to the nearest police station.
The service also provided a toll-free telephone line, **0800144144**, through which members of the public can submit information.
Authorities are expected to treat information provided by members of the public as part of the ongoing investigation.
#Security concerns
The incident highlights the security risks faced by officers responsible for guarding correctional facilities, particularly during night shifts.
Prisons are high-security installations where officers are responsible not only for preventing escapes but also for safeguarding firearms, ammunition, prisoners and prison infrastructure.
An attack targeting night sentries therefore presents multiple security concerns, especially when firearms are taken from officers.
The recovery of the stolen weapons and ammunition is likely to remain a priority for security agencies as investigations continue.
#Investigation ongoing
The Uganda Prisons Service has not indicated who may have organised or carried out the attack, and no motive has been established from the information available.
Authorities are expected to investigate whether the assailants intended to gain access to the prison, target the officers and their weapons, or achieve another objective.
Until investigators establish the circumstances, claims about the attackers’ motives would remain speculative.
The security agencies involved will also have to determine whether the incident was an isolated attack or whether it has any connection to other security incidents in the area.
#Conclusion
The attack on Kyegegwa Government Prison has left three prison officers injured and resulted in the reported loss of two firearms and 60 rounds of ammunition.
Although no prisoner escaped, the incident has prompted a security operation to trace the attackers and recover the weapons.
The Uganda Prisons Service has urged the public to cooperate with investigators by providing any information that could assist in the case.
As investigations continue, the condition of the injured officers, the recovery of the firearms and the identification of those responsible will remain key priorities for the authorities.
