A police officer in Awach Sub-county, Gulu District, is recovering from severe injuries after being stabbed by a 50-year-old man.
Noah Eringu, 46, who is stationed at Awach Police Station, was attacked by Bosco Akena on Wednesday afternoon in Obiya Village, Bucoro Parish.
Eringu was part of a team of environmental police officers accompanying officials from the National Forestry Authority (NFA) for a boundary opening exercise in Lagute Forest Reserve.
There had been a dispute between the NFA and the community members in Bucoro Parish regarding the boundaries of the forest reserve, with each side accusing the other of encroachment.
About three weeks ago, NFA and the community members agreed to settle the boundary dispute by demarcating the land afresh before June 7.
However, during the exercise, tensions escalated when the locals accused NFA officials of placing boundary markers outside the agreed-upon area.
Bernard Terry Kinyera, the Awach Sub-County Speaker, explained that the locals alleged that NFA had deviated from the original boundary, encroaching about 100 meters into the community land.
In the midst of the confrontation, one of the disgruntled locals, who had been carrying a knife unnoticed, attacked Eringu and stabbed him three times in the back before being apprehended.
“When the locals started accusing the NFA officials, he moved on his own and attacked a police officer before stabbing him in the back,” said Kinyera.
Kinyera condemned Akena’s actions, stating that despite the boundary dispute, there were better ways to address grievances through dialogue.
Damali Nachuha, the Aswa River Region Police Commander, confirmed the incident and explained that the suspect not only stabbed the police officer but also attempted to seize his AK47 assault rifle before being arrested.
“I think he was mark timing when they reached some point, he first stabbed him with the knife and tried to reach out for his gun,” said Nachuha. Eringu was immediately rushed to the emergency unit at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention.
Jennifer, the in-charge of the emergency ward, reported that Eringu sustained two stab wounds on his scapula and a minor injury on his lower back. She explains that the officer was responding well to treatment and that his life was not in immediate danger.
At the time of reporting, Eringu was undergoing a minor operation. Meanwhile, the suspect, Akena, is being held in custody at Gulu Central Police Station in Gulu City.
According to Nachuha, he will face charges of attempted murder and will be brought to court once the investigation is concluded.
