Private guard shoots civilian dead over trespass

Rukungir, (UG):- Police in Rukungiri District have arrested one Nicholas Ainembabazi, a private security guard attached to Millennium Security Company on allegations of shooting dead a civilian who strayed in a banana plantation that he was guarding.

The deceased has been identified as Kenneth Masanyu, 22, a resident of Kyobugombe Cell, Rugarama Sub-county in Ntungamo District.

According to Kigezi region police spokesperson Elly Maate, preliminary reports indicate that the victim had visited his relatives in Rukungiri District’s Kebisoni Town Council when he attempted to cross through the banana plantation farm to reach his grandfather’s home when the guard unleashed bullets at him.

“It’s alleged that on the March 5 at around 10 pm at Rugoma C Village, the deceased who had gone to visit his uncle Bitomwe Charles crossed through a banana plantation going to his grandmother Feredansi Bitama’s home,” Mr Maate explained.

On his way to the intended destination, Mr Maate says Masanyu got confused with the path and ended in a banana plantation near the compound of Julius Kazaire in Kebisoni Town Council, at a farm guarded by Millennium Security Company.

“When Ainembabazi stopped and ordered him to sit down, he remained standing, which prompted the security guard to shoot directly at him and he died instantly.” 

Mr Maate said that Rukungiri central police station was informed about the incident by Eria Tumwesigye, the area manager for Millennium Security Company.

“We condemn that act of a security guard shooting and killing a suspect yet there are other options of handling the matter such as shooting to disable,” Maate added.

By press time on Thursday evening, the scene of crime had been visited statements recorded from witnesses and the suspect detained for questioning, while Masanyu’s body was taken to Rwakabengo Health Centre III mortuary for postmortem and a case of murder by shooting registered at Rukungiri police station.