Security agencies led by UPDF are pursuing 50 prisoners who escaped from Moroto Prison having stormed the armory and stolen over 15 rifles.
The inmates who broke out of prison on Wednesday afternoon are suspected to be infected with Coronavirus.
The escape was triggered by the transfer of 60 other prisoners to Jinja Referral Hospital for treatment after they tested positive for COVID-19.
The Commissioner General of Prisons Johnson Byabashaija told TrumpetNews that police and the army have so far killed one inmate and 49 are still on the loose.
“They are armed and dangerous. We suspect they stole 15 guns after they broke into the armory before they took off,” Byabashaija said.
By the time of filing this report, there was exchange of fire between security and the prisoners who were scaling up mountain Moroto.
Byabashaija added that the spark of the prison break was COVID-19 since a section of inmates were transferred to Jinja for treatment.
“Those that have escaped had been tested but their results hadn’t come yet. So there was a lot of tension,” he said.
Most of the escapees are Karamajongs.
The UPDF was planning to use a helicopter gunship to pursue these gunmen who are considered dangerous to the public.