By BOB AMALEMBA
June 30, 2026| Busia Governor Paul Otuoma (pictured) has called for an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of a teenage girl during a police operation targeting the controversial “Jobless” group, as the bitter standoff between his administration and the once-allied outfit continues to escalate.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dr Otuoma expressed shock over the death of Laura Wesonga, who was fatally shot during a police operation in Marachi Estate, Busia Town, on Monday evening.
The governor described the incident as heartbreaking, condoling with the family while insisting that innocent lives must never be lost even as security agencies crack down on crime.
“I have been briefed that the incident occurred during a confrontation between the police and a criminal gang operating under the name ‘Jobless’,” Otuoma said.
He was quick to defend residents of Marachi Estate, saying the area is home to hardworking and peace-loving citizens whose reputation should not be tarnished by the actions of a few suspected criminals.
While maintaining that criminality must be confronted firmly, the governor said police operations should always be conducted with utmost regard for civilian safety.
He has now called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to carry out a prompt, independent and thorough investigation into the shooting and ensure any officer found to have acted outside the law is held accountable.
At the same time, Otuoma urged security agencies to continue pursuing intelligence-led policing that prioritises lawful arrests while dealing decisively with criminal elements.
The governor’s statement comes against the backdrop of rising political and security tensions surrounding the Jobless group, which has in recent weeks staged back-to-back demonstrations in Busia demanding that Otuoma should not seek re-election in 2027.
The protests have marked a dramatic fallout between the governor and a group that was once considered one of his grassroots mobilising teams during the 2022 gubernatorial campaigns.
Shortly after assuming office, Otuoma supported the outfit by purchasing a 14-seater public service vehicle and helping establish a car wash business as part of an empowerment programme aimed at steering its members towards legitimate livelihoods.
However, sources close to the county government say the relationship later soured after the group allegedly continued demanding financial favours and other benefits. When those demands were no longer met, the group turned against the governor, culminating in sustained anti-Otuoma protests.
In recent weeks, Otuoma has repeatedly dismissed the outfit as a criminal gang masquerading as a political movement. He has accused its members of engaging in thuggery, robbery and violence, vowing to rid Busia of what he terms organised goonism.
The group’s leader has, however, maintained that they are victims of political persecution. In a fiery address, he alleged that unnamed individuals were plotting to kill him and sensationally urged supporters to burn property across Busia should he be assassinated.
The latest confrontation follows the questioning of one of Governor Otuoma’s senior county executives by police after remarks he made against the Jobless group were alleged to have been inflammatory.
Monday evening’s operation, reportedly targeting members of the group who allegedly move between Busia Town and neighbouring Uganda, ended in tragedy after Laura Wesonga was fatally shot, further heightening political temperatures in the border county.
As investigations begin, the shooting is expected to intensify scrutiny over both police conduct and the increasingly volatile feud between Governor Otuoma and the group that once stood firmly behind his rise to power but has since become one of his fiercest critics.