Bloodshed at Uganda Prisons Service Facility as Officer Turns Gun on Colleagues

A tragic shooting at Kiboga Prison in central Uganda has left three people dead, including the spouse of the Officer in Charge, after a prison warder allegedly opened fire on his superiors in a shocking act of violence that has rattled the country’s correctional services.

According to a press release issued on Monday by the Uganda Prisons Service, the incident occurred at around 10:00 hours. The suspect, identified as No. 13544 Warder Anguyo Moses, is accused of fatally shooting Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Hope Catherine, who served as Deputy Officer in Charge; Principal Officer I Akishuri Bright, the 3rd in Command; and Ms. Ayebare Sarah, spouse of the Officer in Charge.

The Commissioner General of Prisons described the event as “the unfortunate death of three persons following a shooting incident at Kiboga Prison.” The statement confirmed that the suspect fled the facility immediately after carrying out the attack.

Police responded swiftly to the scene after being alerted. Authorities secured the area and recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. However, the suspect managed to escape and remains at large.

In a statement released by Frank Baine, the prisons spokesperson, it was confirmed that the incident happened at 10am and that the suspect fled immediately after the shooting. “Police was immediately called in and secured the scene of crime.

Joint security operations are currently pursuing the suspect. Although the gun used in the shooting has been recovered, the suspect remains at large and is considered dangerous. Anyone with valuable information regarding his whereabouts is urged to inform police”-the prisons statement reads.

Security agencies have since launched a joint manhunt to track down Warder Anguyo Moses. Authorities have warned that he should be considered dangerous and have appealed to members of the public to assist with information that could lead to his arrest.

“Anyone with valuable information regarding his whereabouts is urged to inform the Police,” the earlier press statement noted, emphasizing the urgency of public cooperation as the search intensifies.

The fatal shooting occurred within the prison facility located in Kiboga District, a region in central Uganda. While some local media reports suggested that a child may have been among the victims, the official statement from the Uganda Prisons Service named only the three individuals: Assistant Superintendent Hope Catherine, Principal Officer I Akishuri Bright, and Ms. Ayebare Sarah.

The motive behind the shooting has not been disclosed, and authorities have not yet provided details about any possible internal disputes or circumstances that may have led to the violence. Investigations are ongoing as security agencies work to piece together the events leading up to the attack.

The Uganda Prisons Service expressed deep regret over the loss of its officers and the civilian victim. The release concluded with a solemn tribute: “May the souls of the deceased rest in eternal peace.”

The killings have sent shockwaves through Uganda’s law enforcement and corrections community, raising concerns about internal security, staff welfare, and the handling of firearms within prison facilities. The brazen nature of the attack—carried out within a government institution by a serving officer—has intensified scrutiny on safety protocols and oversight mechanisms.

As the manhunt continues, authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring public safety and bringing the suspect to justice. Updates are expected as investigations progress and security operations advance.

For now, Kiboga Prison remains under heightened security, with police and other security agencies maintaining a visible presence in and around the facility. The nation watches closely as officials work to apprehend the suspect and determine the circumstances behind one of the most disturbing incidents to hit Uganda’s prison system in recent memory.