Police officer under probe for killing civilian in city protest

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  | Security teams have launched investigations into circumstances under which a police officer shot and killed, David Kibuuka, a publicist for Ssembuule zone I, Kabowa in Rubaga division yesterday.

Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire says that the shooting happened as locals protested against the closure of a footpath in the area, by a factory owner. In the process, a police officer confronted the crowd and in the process killed Kibuuka.

According to eyewitnesses, Kibuuka allegedly tried to approach the officer to explain why they were holding a peaceful protest, but instead, he released bullets that caught him in the head killing him on the spot.

After the shooting, the police officer tried to take Kibuuka to a nearby clinic but he was long dead and thus the crowd turned against him. He was saved by other police officers from Kabowa police station who arrived to calm the situation and it is not yet clear.

Owoyesigyire said the officer only identified as Bwire claims he fired in the air to disperse the crowd.

Owoyesigyire said police have since started investigating the incident and police officer will be held culpable if there is substantive evidence that he acted carelessly leading to someone’s death.

Locals vowed to deal with the Indian who has allegedly blocked their path and water channel thus flooding their homes. It was alleged that residents had been asking the proprietor of Shreeji Stationers 2009 to open the path and the water channel in vain.

More than a fortnight ago, a Local Defence Unit –LDU officer identified as Abdul-Aziz Mwanje, was arrested for allegedly shooting a civilian dead at Kabusu in Rubaga division. Mwanje, who allegedly shot Jimmy Ssetumba, a resident of Bunamwaya is still in custody at Makindye military barracks.

Mwanje’s incident came five days after another LDU officer was arrested for shooting a civilian at Buyala under Wakiso policing division.  Buyala victim was identified as Sam Odukur, a suspect whom police had gone to arrest for assaulting his wife and the village Chairman, Musa Ssemakula.

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