Busia Municipal Council enforcement officer stabbed to death by hawker

Police in Busia District have launched a manhunt for a hawker who stabbed a municipal enforcement officer to death along Tororo Road following an argument over confiscated merchandise on October 23.

The deceased, identified as Tusker Ofubo, alias Master, was a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) reservist attached to Busia Municipal Council. He was stabbed multiple times during a routine revenue collection and trade order operation.
Busia District Police Commander (DPC) Grace Nyangoma confirmed the tragic incident and assured the public that authorities are actively investigating the murder.

According to witnesses, the deadly altercation began after Ofubo stopped the hawker, who was selling electrical goods, and confiscated his stock of USB phone chargers for operating in a non-gazetted area.
Nuhu Bagalana, a local boda boda rider operating along Tororo Road, recalled seeing the vendor desperately pleading for his goods before the situation escalated.

“The hawker spent time pleading with the victim to give him back the USB wires he had confiscated,” Bagalana said, adding that when he briefly left the stage, the two were still locked in a heated argument. He returned shortly after to find a crowd gathered at the scene, only to learn that the enforcement officer had been killed.
Witnesses noted that the confrontation turned physical before becoming lethal. Aramazan Karim, a bystander, explained that the vendor initially engaged Ofubo in a fistfight before drawing a weapon.

“The hawker initially engaged Ofubo in a fistfight before pulling a sharp knife from his waist and stabbing him several times,” Karim said.
Another eyewitness, Mubarak Kakaire, stated that the hawker—who sells both electrical items and knives—retrieved the weapon during the brawl.

“He stabbed him about five times with a sharp knife before escaping from the scene on a boda boda motorcycle,” Kakaire reported.
Despite his severe injuries, Ofubo managed to walk to a nearby shop and sit on a chair. However, he bled profusely, collapsed shortly after, and succumbed to his wounds before he could receive emergency medical assistance.

Investigations indicate that Ofubo’s enforcement colleague briefly apprehended the suspect immediately after the attack. However, an angry mob intervened, assaulted the colleague, and freed the vendor. A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that an unscrupulous boda boda rider then facilitated the suspect's escape from the scene. Police believe the suspect may have fled across the border into neighboring Kenya.

The news of Ofubo's death sent shockwaves through the community and left his family and colleagues at the Busia Health Centre IV mortuary in deep grief.
Bashir Wanyama, the Secretary for Works at Busia Municipality, paid tribute to the deceased officer, describing him as a dedicated civil servant.

“I saw him leave the office for the field to enforce revenue collection, but along the way, he confiscated some items from a hawker who unfortunately stabbed him to death,” Wanyama said. He commended Ofubo as a hardworking officer who carried out his assignments with diligence and played a key role in enforcing trade order within the town.
Family members also expressed heartbreak over the sudden loss. Laban Wandera, a relative, remembered Ofubo for his energy and strong work ethic.

“Ofubo grew up with a lot of energy and determination. He always wanted to excel in every assignment given to him,” Wandera said.
The incident drew mixed reactions from local traders along Tororo Road, highlighting the underlying tensions between municipal authorities and informal vendors. Ofubo had become a prominent figure during council enforcement drives aimed at removing illegal traders from non-designated areas.
While some residents mourned the officer, others expressed bitterness over past enforcement actions. Doreen Kyomuhangi, a fish vendor, openly welcomed the news.

“I had a small stall along Tororo Road, but he came and confiscated all my fish. I am happy he has been killed,” Kyomuhangi claimed.
However, other community members strongly condemned the violent act and defended the slain officer. Abas Haruna, a local resident, described the killing as tragic and unfortunate.
“Master was simply a worker who loved his job and carried out his duties as assigned. The operations he led were not his personal decisions but lawful council directives,” Haruna stated.
Police operations to trace and arrest the fleeing suspect remain ongoing.