UPDF soldier on the run after shooting one dead, injuring others in bar brawl

Kampala, (UG): Police are actively working with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to hunt for a runaway soldier attached to the elite Special Forces Command (SFC) who allegedly shot one person dead and injured two others in a bar brawl at Akright estate along Kampala-Entebbe road.

The runaway suspect has been identified as Johnson Odong alias Chemonges while the deceased is Goerge Omani commonly known as “Fake Materia” in the area.

Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the incident and said a manhunt for the errant officer is already underway and will be brought to books once apprehended.

“Yes, we are working together with our sister Forces, the UPDF to track down the soldier. Charges of murder and attempted murder will be preferred against the suspect when arrested,” Mr Owoyesigyire said.

Preliminary information gathered indicates that the fight occurred on Tuesday night when Chemonges was involved in a bitter verbal exchange with Omani who is one of the patrons at the bar before they engaged in a fistfight.

After he was overpowered, Chemonges who had reportedly been deployed to guard one of the residences in the estate stormed out of the bar in anger.

“Fake material left my bar and went to Rebecca Nakimuli’s bar. I joined them shortly. We were dancing when the soldier returned at around 10:30 pm armed and dressed in his full [SFC] uniform. He found us in Rebecca’s bar. He shouted that patrons who didn’t want to die should move out of the bar. As we rushed out, he opened fire at George and two other patrons,” Ms Adrat Rema, a bar attendant in Kasale Kalisanga Zone, Kinyawranda cell, Kajjansi Town Council where the Tuesday night shooting happened explains.

Two people injured in the shooting who have been identified as as Eric Mpude and Godfrey Lubega were rushed to Mulago Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment as investigations into the fatal incident continues.