Two Bugiri policemen arrested over fatal shooting of suspect
Reportedly armed with various tools and with a determination to rescue the suspect, the confrontation instead took a dark twist. The man they had come to help ended up dead.
The two officers were arrested to facilitate a "thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting", according to the police.
BUGIRI - When a 33-year-old man raised an alarm during an attempt by two policemen to arrest him, residents rushed to the scene.
Reportedly armed with various tools and with a determination to rescue the suspect, the confrontation instead took a dark twist. The man they had come to help ended up dead.
The tragic incident occurred in Uganda's eastern district of Bugiri.
To find what out what really happened, New Vision reached out to Busoga East regional police spokesperson Michael Kasadha, who gave an account of the circumstances leading to the death of suspect Nasiru Mugoya.
Typically, the police accounts and preliminary investigations are often based on what eyewitnesses told them and on statements recorded by different persons of interest.
For this particular incident, two police officers attached to Buwunga Police Station moved in to arrest Mugoya on allegations of assault. It was a couple of minutes to 5am Saturday.
Mugoya was a resident of Nambale village, Nambale parish in Buwunga sub-county.
Shortly after officers Innocent Wagaba and Stephen Okwalinga had arrested the suspect, he reportedly raised an alarm. His relatives and other residents heard the distress calls.
“The group allegedly confronted the officers using crude weapons, including pangas [machetes], sticks and stones in an attempt to rescue the suspect,” said Kasadha.
“In response to the threat posed by the mob, the officers discharged bullets to disperse the crowd for their safety."
During the confrontation, Mugoya was fatally shot.
A team of police detectives are said to have arrived and documented the scene of crime and recovered exhibits deemed important to the ongoing investigations.
The body of the suspect, who died at the scene, was taken to Bugiri Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.
The two officers were arrested to facilitate a "thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting", according to the police.
Kasadha said inquiries are ongoing to establish the exact sequence of events and determine whether the use of force was justified.
The incident has raised concern among residents, with the police urging the public to remain calm as investigations continue.