BUSIA — Police in Busia are hunting for a hawker accused of stabbing a 64-year-old municipal enforcement officer to death following a confrontation over confiscated merchandise during an operation against illegal street vending.
The deceased, identified as Tusker Ofubo, popularly known as Master, was attacked on Thursday afternoon along Tororo Road in Busia Municipality, where enforcement officers were conducting an operation targeting traders operating outside designated vending areas.
Ofubo, a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) reservist attached to Busia Municipal Council, was part of a team enforcing municipal trading regulations and collecting revenue from traders operating in unauthorised locations.
According to eyewitness accounts, the confrontation started when Ofubo approached a hawker selling electrical accessories, including USB phone chargers, and confiscated his merchandise.
The hawker reportedly demanded the return of his goods, but the disagreement escalated into a physical fight.
Aramazan Karim, a bystander, said the two exchanged blows before the hawker allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Ofubo several times in the stomach.
Another eyewitness, Mubarak Kakaire, said the suspect stabbed the officer about five times before fleeing on a boda boda motorcycle.
Despite his injuries, Ofubo reportedly managed to walk to a nearby shop, where he sat down before his condition deteriorated and he collapsed.
He was rushed to Busia Health Centre IV but died shortly afterwards.
Bukedi South Police spokesperson Moses Johnson Mugwe condemned the killing and said investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and arrest the suspect.
Busia District Police Commander Grace Nyangoma also confirmed that police were pursuing leads to trace the suspect, who had reportedly escaped by the time investigators began working on the case.
Reports indicate that another municipal enforcement officer, Aggrey Efumbi, briefly apprehended the suspect after the stabbing. However, a crowd allegedly intervened, assaulted Efumbi and helped the suspect escape.
A security source cited in media reports said a boda boda rider subsequently assisted the suspect in fleeing. Police were also reportedly investigating whether the suspect had crossed into neighbouring Kenya.
Ofubo’s body was taken to the Busia Health Centre IV mortuary pending a postmortem examination.
Colleagues mourn
Ofubo’s death has left colleagues, relatives and local leaders mourning a man they described as dedicated to his work.
Bashir Wanyama, the Secretary for Works at Busia Municipality, said Ofubo had been performing his official duties when the incident occurred.
Wanyama reportedly saw the officer leave the office for fieldwork before learning that he had been attacked.
He described Ofubo as a committed public servant who contributed to the enforcement of municipal regulations and revenue collection.
A relative, Laban Wandera, also remembered him as a hardworking man who approached his responsibilities with determination.
Tensions over street vending
The killing has drawn attention to tensions between municipal enforcement officers and informal traders, particularly during operations involving the removal of street vendors and confiscation of merchandise.
Some traders have expressed frustration over enforcement operations, while other residents have condemned the violence, arguing that disputes over confiscated goods should be resolved through lawful means.
Doreen Kyomuhangi, a fish vendor, said she had previously lost merchandise during an enforcement operation along Tororo Road.
Local resident Abas Haruna, however, condemned the killing, saying disagreements over municipal enforcement should not end in violence.
Police investigations and efforts to arrest the suspect were ongoing at the time of reporting.
