Police arrest 10 over Lake Kyoga violence that left constable dead

______________

Police in the South Kyoga region have arrested 10 people suspected to be involved in the killing of Charles Otirian, a special police constable attached to Lagara Police Post in Serere district.

South Kyoga regional police spokesperson, ASP Stephen Mukombe, said the prime suspect, Bashir Etidau, remains at large.

Etidau was already wanted in connection with a previous murder case registered under CRB 003/26/2026 and is now linked to the case of the police constable's killing, registered as CRB 076/02/2026.

Mukombe said police operations are ongoing to apprehend him.

The deadly incident occurred on Monday night at Odaamu landing site on Lake Kyoga in Anyangan, Kateta subcounty, when police officers attempted to recover confiscated fishing nets from local fishermen.

LC3 chairperson Amos Ochola confirmed that the fishermen resisted the operation, insisting that fisheries officers from both the subcounty and district be present during the recovery exercise.

During the ensuing chaos, the officer in charge, identified only as Ocan, fired warning shots into the air, but tensions escalated.

Constable Otirian was killed on the spot, while OC Ocan sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Serere Health Centre IV, where he remains in critical condition.

Several other people were also injured in the clashes and are receiving treatment at the same health facility.

The body of constable Otirian has been taken to the mortuary at Serere Health Centre IV.