Authorities have launched a manhunt for two inmates who escaped during a stampede at the Mbale High Court after a swarm of bees invaded the premises on Thursday evening.
According to Uganda Prisons Service spokesperson Frank Baine, a group of inmates had been transported to court for routine hearings when the incident occurred at around 5:00pm.
The bees reportedly emerged from an unknown direction and swarmed the court cells located in the basement, triggering panic that quickly escalated into a stampede involving inmates, prison warders, and court officials.
“In the chaos, two inmates managed to escape. We had taken prisoners to court for routine hearings, but only 58 were returned,” Baine said.
He added that two prison warders sustained serious bee stings during the incident and were rushed for medical attention. They have since recovered and been discharged.
Eyewitnesses said the swarm spread rapidly from the basement into courtrooms and the compound, stinging people and forcing them to flee in all directions.
The incident disrupted court operations and extended beyond the premises, with bees reportedly spreading to nearby roads and affecting movement in surrounding areas.
Security agencies have since launched a search operation for the escaped inmates, while investigations are underway to establish the exact circumstances that led to the breach.
The unusual incident has raised concerns about security and emergency response systems at court facilities, particularly in handling unexpected disruptions that can compromise both public safety and the custody of suspects.
