Uganda Prisons speaks out on gang “rescue” of suspect from Prison bus

The incident happened last week on April 18th, at Bunyolwa in Zirobwe, in Luwero District.

A video of the incident which went viral online shows a group of youths including bodaboda riders raiding a prison bus number UG 0419U, while shouting at the top of their voices.

The clip shows some of the youths forcing their way onto the bus and pulling out one of the prison warders before punching him repeatedly, while others cheer on.

The group also proceeds to smash the rear window of the bus before it speeds off.

Frank Baine, the Uganda Prisons spokesman said in a statement that the bus was driving prison staff for the burial of a relative of one of the warders Fred Kasozi.

At the funeral, he says, the suspect snatched a phone from one of the prison guards and was arrested.

But while trying to transport him to a nearby police station, he says, the bus was attacked by the suspect’s colleagues in an attempt to rescue him.

“His friends turned violent in an attempt to rescue him as he was being taken to the nearby police station,’ Baine said.

The prison's mouthpiece says, however, that Police and local authorities were able to intervene in the matter and “put it to rest.”