HOIMA – The Police’s Flying squad operatives attached to the Albertine regional on Tuesday shot a one and half- year-old boy in a rare incident in Hoima district.
The kid – identified as ltakabir Kyakuhaire – who was hit, through a stray bullet is a resident of Bulemwa village in Hoima West division.
Kyokuhaire was injured as the operatives opened fire trying to stop a suspected car robber who was travelling in a vehicle Reg. No. UBB 533X Toyota Wish.
Margret Atuhurra – the victim’s mother narrated on Wednesday that she only saw her son falling down and bleeding after the bullet had hit him – as good Samaritans assisted her in rushing the boy to a nearby clinic – Destiny Medical Centre – where he received first aid before referring him to Hoima Hospital. The boy has since been referred to Mulago Hospital after a scan showed that the bullet was stuck into the boy’s head.
The victim’s father – Ashraf Kyakuhaire has outright demanded for compensation from the police – adding that the force’s footing of the medical bills shouldn’t be a topic for discussion.
Innocent Kusiima – a clinical officer at Destiny Medical Centre said that although the child was severely injured on the head, he was responding well to treatment.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region Police Spokesperson regretted the incident – saying police had targeted the car tyres to stop the suspected robber from evading arrest. He further revealed that the flying squad operatives had successfully pursued the suspected car thieves – recovering the stolen vehicle, which had been abandoned in Kasingo cell in Hoima West Division – though the suspect had vanished.