Two arrested selling guns as security raid Lira shop

Two people were yesterday afternoon arrested in Lira City after they were allegedly caught selling firearms in an open market.
After a tip off from town dwellers, men in plain clothes believed to be security people raided Accurate Motor Spare Shop on Bala Road. 

A witness said when one of shop attendants suspected danger, he threatened to shoot the uninvited guests and used the advantage to flee the scene.
“He cocked his gun at the security people,” the witness told Daily Monitor, adding: “He then pulled out a pistol and took off in the corridor before heavily armed security personnel entered the shop.”

RDC speaks
 Mr Milton Odongo, the Lira Resident District Commissioner (RDC), said the shop was raided after they received intelligence information indicating that a businessman was selling guns at the shop.

“He is suspected of being in possession of two Sub-machine guns (SMGs) and four pistols. We have recovered one pistol but other guns are still missing. The prime suspect took off,” Mr Odongo said. 
He confirmed that two people who were found in the same shop were arrested to aid with investigations.
“We have been informed that this man has been trading in guns and fake money,” the RDC said. 

There has been public concerns over illegal possession of guns in Lira City by some business persons. 
“You can surrender the gun to religious or cultural leaders if you fear the security,” Mr Odongo advised anyone with illegal guns. 
By press time, police had deployed and laid siege at Accurate Motor Spares Shop. 
 

Similar Gun recovery
In March, security operatives in Busia District recovered a gun suspected to have been stolen from police after conducting an operation against armed criminals.
The gun, an AK-47 rifle, plus 25 rounds of live ammunition, was recovered at Bondani Ward in Busia Township, following a week of cross-border operation stretching from Uganda to Kenya.

Mr Eriya Elepot, the Busia District Police Commander, said: “It is true we have recovered one gun and arrested six people who are suspected to be behind violent crime at the border.”
Mr Elepot added that the gun was found in an isolated house in Busia-Kenya, which had been rented by the robbers.
Over the past three years, police in Busia have lost two guns following an attack on police posts.
The second incident happened last year when criminals attacked a police lady at Solo Community Police Post and made off with her gun.