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Charles Komakech Otto, who was with the three men on the day they disappeared, claims he escaped while the others were apprehended by park guards.
Police in Nwoya District are searching for three hunters who reportedly went missing on November 19 after entering Murchison Falls National Park.
The missing individuals have been identified as Vincent Opio, 35, Levi Odongo, 39, and Innocent Komakech, 35.
Charles Komakech Otto, who was with the three men on the day they disappeared, claims he escaped while the others were apprehended by park guards.
John Betty Okot, the Local Council III chairman for Purongo Sub-county in Nwoya, said the missing men are residents of Lapi village in Tanga Ward.
“According to Kumakech Otto’s explanation, he said they were confronted by park guards, and three of his colleagues were arrested while he managed to flee,” Okot said.
“He reported the incident to the police but hesitated due to fear that the relatives of the missing men might attack him, demanding answers.”
Richard Anyama, the Nwoya District Police Commander, confirmed that a case file has been opened for the missing persons.
“We received a report from Charles Komakech and some relatives who complained that their loved ones, who had gone hunting in the park, are missing. Since November 19, their whereabouts remain unknown. As police, we are collaborating with park authorities to establish what happened and whether they know anything about these men,” Anyama stated.
However, Wilson Kagoro, the park warden, claims that many individuals enter the park with personal problems and commit suicide.
Kagoro dismissed the claims that park guards arrested the missing hunters.
“This is not possible. We have a challenge where people, due to domestic violence or land issues, enter the park and commit suicide. Later, their relatives claim they had come to hunt and were arrested,” he said.
Currently, Nwoya Police have detained Komakech to assist with investigations.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about the missing men to contact the police or their relatives.
