Five Lira gunshot victims airlifted to Mulago
Residents gathered at Lira Airfield as a military helicopter sets off with five gunshot victims to Mulago where they were referred for further medication on November 18, 2018. PHOTO BY ISAAC OTWII
What you need to know:
- Dickens Okello was allegedly killed by two Asian nationals on November 9.
- The gunshot victims have been identified as Felix Okello, Innocent Odongo, Nelson Ocen, Jasper Ocen and Bernard Odyek.
- Defence state minister, Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola said those arrested during the violent protest in Lira will face the law.
Five people who were shot during violent protests in Lira Town on Saturday have been airlifted to Mulago national referral hospital in Kampala following their deteriorating health conditions.
They were rushed by ambulance to a waiting military helicopter at Lira Airfield and before they were transported to the national referral hospital for further treatment, Defence state minister, Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola, told Daily Monitor on Sunday.
Defence state minister Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola addressing residents of Lira town after meeting Indian community on November 18, 2018. PHOTO BY ISAAC OTWI
The gunshot victims have been identified as Felix Okello, Innocent Odongo, Nelson Ocen, Jasper Ocen and Bernard Odyek. Jasper Ocen is a resident of Ayer Sub-county in Kole District; Okello, Odongo, and Nelson Ocen are all residents of Alito Sub-county (Kole) while Odyek is a resident of Adyaka parish, Amach Sub-county in Lira District.
Residents of Lira Town and Alito Sub-county braved hours of shoot-out as security agencies engaged rowdy youth and mourners in running battles on Saturday.
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In Lira, chaos started after the youth launched an attack against foreign traders in retaliation to the death of an 11-year-old pupil of Alito Primary School, Dickens Okello.
Okello was allegedly killed by two Asian nationals on November 9.
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Soldiers take over security in Lira town
Security operatives fired live bullets and teargas canisters to disperse the rowdy group that had taken over major streets in Lira town
At the same time, police were engaged in running battles with mourners in Alito Sub-county headquarters who wanted to lynch Lira LC5 chairman, Mr Alex Oremo Alot. The Lira District chairman wanted to deliver a speech at Okello’s burial but was reportedly blocked by angry mourners before being booed.
While meeting the Indian community in Lira Town Sunday afternoon, Col Engola said he regrets the incident.
He assured the Indians and other foreigners doing businesses in the country that government will provide security for everybody.
Defence state minister Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola (in cap) addressing Asian traders at one of their residences along Aduku Road in Lira town on November 18, 2018. PHOTO BY ISAAC OTWII
Col Engola also said those arrested during the violent protests will face the law.
However, he declined to mention the number of those in custody.
Daily Monitor has since established that seven people were arrested at Unity FM station in Jinja Camp, Ojwina Division alone, when security forces raided the radio on Saturday. The private radio station was also switched off.
