- Police boss arrested for shooting reveller dead, injuring another
MBARARA – Police in Kabale district, in western Uganda are holding five people for allegedly gang-defiling a 13-year-old girl on Christmas day.
The victim, Glorious Akampurira Owembabazi, according to Abel Ruganza, the Kabale District Police Commander, died on arrival at Kabale regional referral hospital, where she had been rushed following an 8:00pm attack at Nyakasharara trading centre, Kyarugondo village, Kasheregyenyi parish, Kamuganguzi Sub County.
The suspects currently under custody at Kabale Central Police Station are; Davis Akankwasa Kehoda, Allan Akanyijuka, Moses Sendarera, and Norman Ahumuza Kanuma – all residents of Kasheregyenyi parish, Kamuganguzi sub-county in Kabale district.
Elly Maate, the Police Spokesperson for Kigezi Region narrated that the gang had defiled the victim until she became unconscious. He added that efforts to have her acquire medical attention were fruitless as she died moments on arrival at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.
Maate said that the suspects were still being interrogated and will face murder charges as per file number CRB936/2022.
Defilement under the laws of Uganda carries a maximum death sentence.
Meanwhile, in Omoro district, Sgt Christopher Okot Bruce, the Officer-in-Charge of Opit Police Post was arrested for shooting dead a reveller and injuring another. Okot reportedly shot dead, Emmanuel Olanya,16, a pupil of Opit Primary School, and injured, Simon Okema, 25 from Opit Town Council following a scuffle in a bar over a girl. Okema, later on Tuesday succumbed to wounds at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital where he had been admitted.
It is said that the officer intervened to calm the situation but met resistance, prompting him to open fire. Innocent Okello, an eyewitness, said that the incident happened at around 4:00am on Christmas Day in front of Corner House Night Club where revellers were merrymaking. Okello explained that the lone officer sighted the rowdy crowd and met resistance when he tried to disperse them.
“The officer, who appeared to be drunk opened fire at the youth killing one instantly and injuring another,” said Okello, who added that the girl and the other onlookers fled the scene in disarray following the shooting. Both the victims were residents of Lomolo village.
David Ongom Mudong, the Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson, said that police responded to the scene, recovering two cartridges, and a gun Reg. No. UG POL. 56-131002705-16007 with 24 bullets.
He said that the officer had been detained at Omoro Central Police Station where a case of murder by shooting was being investigated vide CRB 25278/2022.
