Bugiri, Uganda: One person was shot dead on Friday after police opened fire while attempting to arrest a suspect amid resistance from residents in Bugiri district’s Buwunga Sub-county.
The fatal incident occurred in the early morning hours in Nambale Village, Nambale Parish in eastern Uganda’s Bugiri district.
Busoga East Regional Police Spokesperson Michael Kasadha confirmed the shooting, saying officers had gone to apprehend a suspect identified as Mugoya Nasiru on assault charges.
“We have registered an incident of fatal shooting in Bugiri this morning. Police officers were effecting an arrest of one Mugoya Nasiru,” ASP Kasadha said.
Police said the situation escalated after the suspect’s relatives allegedly attacked officers using pangas, sticks, and stones in an attempt to block the arrest.
“Upon apprehension of the suspect, his relatives attacked the officers… In response to the threat, the officers discharged bullets for safety,” Kasadha explained.
The confrontation reportedly led to the shooting of a civilian, who died during the incident.
Conflicting accounts emerge
However, local leaders have presented a different account of events.
Nambale Village Chairperson Stephen Bogere told DailyExpress that police stormed the home of a resident, Magemeso Bashir, during the operation, and that the deceased, identified as Mugoya Abdallah, was not the suspect.
“They came to arrest one of the sons, but in the process they killed Mugoya Abdallah, who was innocent and a humble man,” Bogere said.
He criticised the manner of the operation, accusing police of failing to coordinate with local leaders and carrying out the arrest at night.
“Police should always engage LC1 leaders when conducting such operations. Storming homes at night creates panic and unnecessary violence,” he added.
Preliminary information indicates that the suspect, Mugoya Nasiru, was wanted over an assault case reportedly stemming from a dispute during Eid ul-Fitr celebrations. He is alleged to have grabbed and eaten a chapati belonging to another resident, sparking a confrontation that was later reported to police.
By press time, a team led by the Bugiri District Police Commander had been deployed to the scene to gather more details. Police have urged the public to remain calm as investigations continue.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
