By Obbo Yusuf
Police in Kagadi District are holding one of their own after a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier was shot dead during a scuffle at a football pitch in Kyaterekera Town Council.
The suspect has been identified as Umalu Mugisa, a police officer attached to Kyaterekera Police Post. The deceased is Omuhereza Tuhaise Sande, a UPDF officer under interdiction and a resident of Kitumba A Cell, Kyaterekera East Ward, Kyaterekera Town Council.
The incident was confirmed by Allan Julius Hakiza, who said the shooting occurred during a scuffle in which the deceased allegedly attempted to disarm a police officer who was guarding the gate at a football tournament. Hakiza added that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Hakiza has appealed to the general public to respect armed personnel tasked with maintaining law and order in society.
The shooting occurred at around 4:00 pm at Kitumba Playground during a football match between Super Lions FC and Lyanda FC, part of a tournament sponsored by Lions FC manager Innocent Tamwanga.
According to eyewitnesses, Mugisa had been deployed alongside six other officers to provide security at the playground. An argument reportedly broke out between him and the deceased after the latter declined to pay the Shs 2,000entrance fee and instead watched the match through openings in the makeshift enclosure.
The argument escalated, leading to the officer shooting the deceased in the head, killing him instantly.
Residents have condemned the incident and the rising cases of gun violence across the country. They have called on security agencies and armed personnel to use firearms strictly for the protection of life and property, and not to harm innocent citizens.
The suspect has since been arrested and is being detained at Kagadi Central Police Station. The firearm used has been recovered and exhibited, while the body of the deceased was taken to Kagadi Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
