KAMPALA, UGANDA: A suspected terrorist has been shot dead by Uganda’s counter terrorism forces, the Uganda police confirmed on Friday morning.
According to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the suspect identified as Adam Matovu alias Manihajji, 36, was a resident of Ttula zone, Kawempe 1 ward, Kawempe Division, Kampala.
“The Joint Counter Terror task team actively involved in the ongoing counter-terror operations, found themselves in a volatile situation after a terror suspect jumped off a patrol vehicle and tried to escape while being escorted to SID Kireka,” Enanga said on Friday morning.
“The officers responded immediately and fired warning shots while commanding him to stop but all in vain, which prompted them to shoot and main,” he added, further explaining that Matovu succumbed to the bullet wounds at the scene around Naguru remand home.
Enanga revealed that counter-terrorism officers were returning from a “very successful cordon and search operation in Kawempe Division, where they recovered an AK 47 gun, (without a serial number) but with 14 rounds, a bag containing a suicide belt with suspected explosives, and an assortment bomb-making materials.”
He said the “suspected explosive was neutralized at the site, on safety grounds.”
Matovu’s shooting comes in the wake of weeks when several suspected terrorists have been killed while trying to escape or fight with security forces manning the country from terror activities.
Hamid Nsubuga who fled from Pader where he reportedly planned a bomb attack at the burial ceremony of Deputy IGP Lt Gen Paul Lokech, was killed by the CMI operatives while resisting arrest in Kampala.
Others killed include Hussein Lubwama and 3 others suspected of masterminding an assassination attempt of Works Minister, Gen Katumba Wamala.
Enanga said encounters with terrorism suspects is usually violent and full of uncertainty.
“The officers kept telling him (Matovu) to stop, but he did not adhere to their command. As we review the shooting incident, we urge all suspects to always follow our due processes, to avoid such tragic incidents,” he said.
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