Security guard shoots UCU student dead in Mukono

MUKONO, UGANDA: The Police in Mukono District have arrested a private security guard who shot and killed one Agaba Rudeny, a 25-year-old student at Uganda Christian University (UCU) at Mukono main campus.

Agaba, a final year student and resident of Kiwanga was allegedly shot by Tugume Kadili in a tragic shooting incident that happened on Sunday, 4th June 2023, at approximately 1:00 PM at Meru Fuel Station in Kiwanga, police said.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, “Preliminary investigations suggest that a dispute arose between a private security guard identified as Tugume Kadili, aged 27, and the deceased after the latter allegedly attempted to climb over a wall fence within the security guard’s assigned area, leading to an escalated situation.”

In response, Owoyesigyire says the security guard discharged his firearm, fatally injuring the individual.

“Prompt medical attention was provided, and the victim was rushed to Gwatilo Health Center, where he was later pronounced dead.”

Upon arrival at the scene, police recovered two cartridge casings. An army green vehicle with registration number UAW 403S was present at the scene, exhibiting a suspected bullet hole.

Additionally, a firearm was recovered as a potential weapon used in the shooting. Live ammunition was found near the suspected pool of blood. All these items were seized as evidence, according to ASP Owoyesigyire.

In the aftermath, Tugume Kadili was apprehended and is currently detained at Seeta Police Station as part of investigations into the shooting incident.

Residents who condemned the shooting incident say a deadly fight broke out when the deceased had reportedly gone to survey land that his mother left him.

While carrying out the survey, a rope fell on the side of the fuel station which prompted the deceased to climb the fence so as to retrieve it.

Residents condemned the deadly use of firearms in public and called on the government to retrain all law enforcement officers on firearm use.

Owoyesigyire urged people to be cautious of security guards, especially from private companies who said may have not received enough training.

“The Mukono Police Division is fully committed to conducting a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. We urge the public to remain calm and patient as we diligently work to gather all the necessary facts,” he stated.

Agaba becomes the second student to be shot in a fortnight after Natasha Nagayi, 21, a student at UCU who was on May 20 at Nabuti Cell in Mukono Central Division, shot in the chest by an Anti-Terrorism Police officer.

The officer, ASP Dismas Tebangole, shot Nagayi at about 4:15 am after she tried her key in several doors in search of her room when she reached Tebangole’s.