A 36-year-old man, boda boda operator and crime preventer, identified as Sam Natubu, was fatally shot in Kabira, Maanyi Subcounty, Busujju Parish, Mityana District, during a police operation.
The incident occurred as officers attempted to arrest a suspected robber, Isaac Ssendawula. Natubu, who had transported two police officer’s on his motorcycle registration number UFD806X to the scene, was killed when one of the officers’ guns allegedly discharged during a scuffle with the suspect.
According to residents, Ssendawula was accused by his charcoal business colleagues of stealing proceeds from their trade.
The group had earlier sought intervention from Maanyi Local Council Chairman Yafeesi Ssekibule, who referred the matter to Maanyi Police Post.
When police arrived at Ssendawula’s home to arrest him, he reportedly resisted, leading to a struggle during which the shooting occurred.
Ssekibule called on the youth to avoid violence and urged residents to observe law and order. He also appealed to the government to increase security personnel in the area, citing an understaffed police force.
According to Mr. Chrysostom Kizito, the chairperson of Kabira Village, “It appeared like the suspect knew how to use the gun because after the shooting, he remained with the gun, and it was the officer in charge of Maanyi Police Station who withdrew it from him,” he narrated.
Wamala Region Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala confirmed Ssendawula’s arrest. She stated that he will face charges, including murder, as investigations continue.
“When our officers arrived at the place where Ssendawula was, he resisted arrest. Nangereka intervened to help the officers, which did not go down well with Ssendawula, and as the scuffle ensued, the latter grabbed the gun from one of our officers and shot Nangereka,” Ms. Kawala seemingly confirmed the chairperson’s narrative.
Natubu’s body was taken to Maanyi Health Centre III for post-mortem examination.
The police have assured the public that the case is being handled with urgency to establish the circumstances of the shooting.
