MBARARA, UGANDA: Police in Mbarara District, in western Uganda are investigating a murder case by shooting after a police officer shot and killed a UPDF soldier near the Bank of Uganda branch on Friday evening.
The tragic incident occurred near Bank of Uganda Branch in Mbarara Police barracks when the policeman identified as PC Charles Opio opened fire at his victim Corporal Yeremiah Paper, a UPDF officer attached to Ruhengyere Engineering Brigade in Kiruhura District.
According to Rwizi Region Police Spokesman Samson Kasasira, it is alleged at about 1800 on Friday evening, the two security operatives developed a misunderstanding that led to a shooting that caused the death of Yeremiah in the process.
Kasasira said that PC Opio who is attached to Field Force Unit was arrested on the evening and is in custody at the Central Police Station in Mbarara while the deceased’s body was taken to the Regional Referral Hospital Mbarara for postmortem.
Victor Ampaire, an eyewitness at the scene of crime told this website that the shooting happened as the army officer was having a light moment with a friend near a bar.
“The soldier was enjoying a selfie moment with a woman at a bar in the police barracks opposite Bank of Uganda branch. The police constable asked him not to take photos in the barracks but the soldier abused him. A heated argument ensued before he (Opio) opened fire,” Mr Ampaire said.
Police said the gun suspected to have been used in the murder has also been recovered and exhibited for further investigations
The latest incident adds to the rising cases of gun violence in the country.
On Wednesday this week, police arrested a security guard in Tororo after he allegedly shot dead a colleague over a misunderstanding.
Last week another guard attached to Capital Guards and Patrol, a private security firm allegedly shot a colleague dead in their rented house in Kalule Zone, Lukuli Parish, Makindye Division on May 13, 2023.
John Mujumbi, a 25-year-old security guard attached to Capital Guards and Patrol was allegedly shot by his colleague and roommate, Peter Ochoroi, 26, at around 12:30 pm following a disagreement on Saturday.
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