Police in Pakwach district are investigating circumstances under which four prisoners escaped from lawful prison custody.
SP Josephine Angucia, the West Nile regional police spokesperson, said the escape happened yesterday at around 7:39pm after court session at Pakwach grade one magistrate court.
“The prisoners were boarding the prison truck of Ragem Prisons at the court premises. The escapees were facing charges of theft, aggravated defilement and obtaining money by false pretence,” SP Angucia said.
Security has identified the escaped prisoners as Otoyrwoth David on theft charge, Atipo Simon Peter on aggravated defilement, Guma Benson Mambo on stealing vehicle and Obtaining Money by False Pretence, and Wathum Vincent on stealing from a vehicle.
However, Wathum has since been re-arrested but the other three are still at large. Patrick Okidi, the Principal Officer II alerted the police about the escape. Okidi is commander of Ragem government.
Police acted by registering a case of escape from lawful custody, some relevant statements were recorded, and efforts to trace for the suspects has since been launched. Police said inquiries are continuing under Pakwach Police Station CRB 08/2023.
“We appeal to the general public to assist in the search for the three escapees namely Otoyrwoth David, Atipo Simon Peter, and Guma Benson Mambo. Upon getting their whereabouts, report to the nearest police station or prisons offices,” SP Angucia said.
More than 220 prisoners escaped from Moroto government prison in September 2020. So far 134 have been recaptured according to Prison spokesperson, Frank Baine.