A police constable in Kamwokya’s Mulimira zone in Kampala has opened fire, killing one person and injuring another in a bar this afternoon.
Constable Happy Issa number 53269 who was on a normal patrol in the area with his colleagues on patrol vehicle registration number UP 2953, discharged a bullet that injured Ogwang Isaac who later succumbed to the injuries at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Although police’s statement released by Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire indicated that one person was shot, eyewitnesses who spoke to URN said the errant officer shot another person identified as Okello Jimmy, the deceased’s colleague with they were together at the time and who was also rushed to a yet to be known clinic.
In his statement at Kira Road after his arrest, Constable Happy Issa, claimed that he forgot to do the normal firearm safety precautions when he received a rifle in the morning and the bullet had remained in chamber and it was discharged accidentally.
However his claims have also been disputed by an eye-witnesses who spoke to Uganda Radio Network-URN. Michael Olach, a friend to the two victims, said he was seated with the victims before the incident. According to Michael, when a patrol vehicle parked in front of Mercy’s bar where they had gathered for a drink as they usually do, one officer ordered them to vacate the premises without explanation.
He said shortly as they stood up to leave another policeman jumping off the vehicle pointed the gun at them and started shooting. He added that there was no confrontation between them and police.
Lazarus Tumuhairwe, another eyewitness, said he was inside a shop and heard the two gunshots outside. Tumuhairwe notes that the officers seems to have had hidden a agenda against the victims because they have always been taking alcohol together in the same place.
Kabuggo Muhammad the defense secretary of Mulimira Zone said the LDUs and police officers often come at the same area to take alcohol and smoke drugs when they are idle.
But Kabugo blamed the victims and the bar owner whom he accused of not respecting the COVID-19 guidelines that prohibit people from opening and going to the bars.
Luke Owoyesigyire said the body of the deceased is at Mulago City Mortuary for post mortem as the investigation into the shooting continue.“We deeply regret the loss of a life and call for calm as investigations continue in this matter,” said Owoyesigyire”.
