MBALE, Drama, panic, and chaos unfolded at the Mbale High Court on Thursday afternoon when a massive swarm of angry bees invaded the premises, leaving a trail of painful stings, abandoned guns, and two escaped suspects in their wake.
The bizarre incident began just before 4 p.m., as court proceedings were winding down and suspects were being prepared for transport back to prison.
At first, a few bees were spotted buzzing around. Within ten terrifying minutes, the swarm had grown into a dark, buzzing cloud that sent everyone running for their lives.
“It was like a horror movie,” one court official, who asked to remain anonymous, told us. “Bees were stinging everyone – court staff, police officers, prison warders, and even the suspects. I locked myself in my office. A few got in, but I was lucky.”
The real panic set in among the prison warders. Overwhelmed by the relentless attack, they took the biggest share of the stings. In a desperate bid to escape the fury of the bees—which bullets clearly could not stop—they dropped their guns and fled.
It was during this moment of total confusion that two quick-thinking suspects seized their chance and vanished from the court premises.
The suspects who remained locked inside the court cells were not so fortunate. Trapped and unable to run, they suffered terribly, screaming as the bees stung them repeatedly.
In the aftermath, four prison warders and several suspects are now nursing serious injuries.
Police officers who were called for backup arrived to find a scene of pure pandemonium but could do nothing against the winged attackers. They could only look on helplessly as the chaos unfolded.
The origin of the bees, and where they disappeared to after the attack, remains a complete mystery.
When contacted for an official comment, court authorities refused to speak. However, the incident has sparked strong reactions from the public.
Local resident Mr. Masaba John believes the attack is a sign from above. “The court should turn to God,” he said. “There must be a lot of injustices going on in our courts. First the storms in Kampala, now bees in Mbale. There’s something wrong inside.”
But Deputy RCC of Northern Division, Mbale City, Mr. Were Yahaya, dismissed such theories. He assured the public that no such tricks would halt the wheels of justice.
“Bees attacking the court will never stop courts from doing their work,” he stated firmly. “No one should think such tricks will work.”
The hunt for the two escaped suspects is now underway.
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