Three Injured in Shooting Incident at Arua Bank ATM

By Skika Reporter

Three people were injured in a shooting incident at an Equity Bank Uganda ATM in Arua City after a man allegedly attempted to grab a firearm from private security guards on Friday.

The injured were identified as Harriet Asara, 22, Joan Hope, 18, both residents of Ayivu Division, and Prince Johnson Angutoko, 36, a resident of Academy Cell in Awindiri Ward, Central Division.

According to the UPDF 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, Capt David Kamya, Angutoko, who was reportedly intoxicated, caused a disturbance at the ATM while customers were accessing banking services.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly threatened security guards attached to Saracen Uganda Limited and attempted to disarm them, claiming he possessed better military training.

Capt Kamya said the guards initially fired warning shots into the air in an attempt to control the situation. However, the confrontation escalated after Angutoko allegedly continued advancing toward the guards.

“One of the guards then fired a shot that hit the suspect in the left thigh,” Capt Kamya said in a statement released on Saturday.

Police further stated that the same bullet also injured two female bystanders during the incident.

Harriet Asara and Joan Hope were reportedly struck by the bullet as the situation unfolded near the ATM area.

All three victims were rushed to Arua Regional Referral Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

Security agencies, including the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, have launched investigations into the incident to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Authorities also confirmed that the firearm used during the incident, registered as UG Pol 2583108609, was recovered and retained as evidence as investigations continue.