Police in Mbarara have arrested one of their own after he shot and killed a UPDF Officer on Friday evening as the spate of gun violence continues to sweep the country.
The police officer identified as PC Opio Charles attached to the Field Force Unit (FFU) Mbarara, shot and killed CPL Yeremiah Paper, a UPDF Officer attached to Ruhengyere Engineering Brigade at Police/ Prison Cell at the residence of FFU opposite Bank of Uganda Mbarara branch.
According to Deputy Police Spokesperson Polly Namaye, preliminary findings indicate that the duo had a misunderstanding that led to the shooting.
“We have arrested the suspect and he is being held at CPS Mbarara while the gun suspected to have been used in the murder has been recovered and exhibited,” Namaye said in a statement.
The body of the deceased has been conveyed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem.
“We shall give more updates on the progress of the investigation in due course. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” she added.
This comes a day after David Ogolo, a 27-year-old security guard employed by PSG Security Company, was found dead in Lira City on Friday.
Ogolo who was on Thursday night assigned alone to guard Apwoyo Distribution Limited shop along Bala road in Lira-City was found dead on Friday morning, seated on a plastic chair with a severe cut wound around his neck.
Personal effects such as a motorcycle, mobile telephone and even the gun he was using to guard the area were all found next to his body.
At least 10 people have died in separate shootings in Kampala and elsewhere over the past 14 days, an average of one fatal gunshot victim every 48 hours.
The incident comes barely a day after one Rogers Atuhaire, a guard attached to SGA Security Group yesterday himself dead at Makwasi Building along Lumumba Avenue in Kampala city Centre.
Since the May 2 killing of State Labour Minister Col (rtd) Charles Engola, allegedly by his bodyguard Pte Wilson Sabiiti, the shootings involving policemen and guards have increased.
On Thursday, Rogers Atuhaire, a guard attached to SGA Security Company, reportedly shot himself dead while on duty at premises on Buganda Road Zone in Nakasero II Parish, Kampala City.