Security Guard’s Desperate Attempt to Sell Bullets Ends in Arrest

Under the Firearms Act (as amended), no person is permitted to purchase, acquire, or possess a firearm or ammunition without holding a valid firearm certificate for each item. On conviction, the offence carries a penalty of up to ten years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

A suspect being arrested (courtesy photo)

Police in Luwero District have arrested a private security guard attached to Securex Security Company Limited for allegedly attempting to sell live ammunition.

The suspect, Alfred Okongo Owona, 25, was deployed to guard the Crown Paper Factory in Kawempe Division, Kampala. According to police, Okongo is accused of stealing four bullets from a company rifle on January 2, 2026, shortly after completing his night shift.

Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima said that after allegedly removing the ammunition, Okongo handed over the rifle to a colleague reporting for the day shift, deserted his post, and later travelled to Luwero. “He allegedly attempted to sell the bullets to another private security firm,” Twiineamazima said.

He explained that on January 7, 2026, Okongo approached a supervisor at Hippos Security Company in Luwero, offering to sell the ammunition. The supervisor alerted authorities, leading to Okongo’s arrest.

Police recovered four live bullets from the suspect, who was subsequently transferred to Luwero Central Police Station, where he remains in custody. Okongo is expected to be charged with illegal possession of government stores, specifically live ammunition.

Under the Firearms Act (as amended), no person is permitted to purchase, acquire, or possess a firearm or ammunition without holding a valid firearm certificate for each item. On conviction, the offence carries a penalty of up to ten years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.