Summary:

• A private guard assigned to protect an Equity Bank branch in Soroti is missing after an attempted robbery. Despite the incident, normal banking services have resumed, with authorities investigating the matter.

One of the two private guards assigned to protect Equity Bank’s Soroti branch under the SGA security firm is now evading authorities following the thwarted robbery attempt by suspected armed individuals.

Mr. Sam Kwebaza, the regional manager of Eastern Uganda for the security company, disclosed that Mr. Richard Oonyu, alongside his colleague Emmanuel Epunao, was supposedly on duty Monday night to safeguard the bank. However, Oonyu was conspicuously absent when authorities responded to reports of the attempted robbery on Tuesday morning.

“We arrived at the scene only to find Epunao present. Oonyu, who had signed in the previous day, was nowhere to be found,” Mr. Kwebaza told Examiner.

Efforts to reach Oonyu by phone proved fruitless, with him repeatedly claiming to be at the hospital attending to his ailing father.

Soroti’s security forces have initiated investigations into the suspected robbery incident at the bank’s branch, cordoning off the Soroti-Gweri road in the downtown area to gather evidence.

Mr. Edison Obukulem, acting police spokesperson for East Kyoga, detailed their swift response upon receiving intelligence reports of armed individuals attempting to breach the bank in the early hours of Tuesday.

“We swiftly intervened upon receiving reports of armed robbery attempts. Upon arrival, we apprehended one security guard found on duty along with his immediate supervisor. However, the other guard, who was also supposed to be on duty, was nowhere to be seen,” stated Mr. Obukulem.

Equity Bank assured customers that “normal banking services” had resumed despite the incident, emphasizing that no harm to lives or property occurred during the attempted breach. They expressed gratitude for understanding and apologized for any inconvenience caused in a public notice.