ARUA – One of the four prisoners who had escaped on Tuesday while being moved from court back to prison in Pakwach district has been rearrested, Police has confirmed.
The four allegedly fled while boarding a prisons truck after appearance before Pakwach Grade One Magistrates Court Tuesday evening.
“It was a normal court session, and the prisoners were boarding the truck when the four decided to escape,” said Josephine Angucia – the West Nile Police spokesperson.
The four who had escaped were; David Ofoyrwoth, Simon Peter Atipo, Benson Guma Mambo and Vincent Wathum – who has since been rearrested as the other three were still on the run.
They were on remand, on different charges including stealing motor vehicles, defilement as well as obtaining money by false pretence, according to records in court.
Angucia said a case of escape from lawful custody was registered at Pakwach Police Station following the escape.
“We are trying to trace the suspects under CRB08/2023 and we ask the public to co-operate in this matter,” she said.
Authorities in Pakwach districts have already mounted a search for the remaining escapees.
Frank Baine – the spokesperson, Uganda Prisons Services, also confirmed that the re-arresting of one of the escapees – saying the search for the other three others was on.
Uganda’s biggest jail escape in the recent past happened in 2020 when 219 inmates found their way out of a Moroto facility – taking off with fire arms.
The Moroto jail break left three – including a guard and two of the 219 escapees – dead as two others were rearrested.
The prisoners who, then took off their clothes to avoid being spotted in their distinctive yellow uniforms – ran into the foothills of Mount Moroto, an under populated area. However, a sizeable number have since been recaptured or killed in other criminal missions, according to Baine.
