By Simon Masaba and Charles Etukuri

The Uganda People Defense Forces (UPDF) on Friday evening shot dead three police officers in a botched robbery in Kyengera a city suburb.

The incident happened at Nkonkonjeru in Kyengera, where the officers attached to Kajjansi police station using a police patrol car raided Excellent Assorted Manufactures Company, a soap factory belonging to one Ephraim Kiterede.

Kampala metropolitan Police Commander Andrew Kaweesi on Saturday confirmed the incident and told New Vision that all those involved in the robbery were police officers.

“The driver of the gate way car who was among those injured was attached to the Police force,” Kaweesi said.

When contacted, the police force spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said she was still gathering details about the incident and a report would be out soon.

It is alleged that the plan to rob the factory the factory had been going on for almost a month and was  leaked to Brig Elly Kayanja who is the Deputy Coordinator of Intelligence Services before deploying additional soldiers in preparation.

 “The plot leaked that led to deployment of more soldiers,” said the source.

He added that during the raid, the officers offered the soldiers soft drinks and food laced with chloroform but when they refused to take them they drew out their guns which prompted the soldiers who were fully prepared to fire.

Two of the officers died on the spot while the one who sustained bullet wounds succumbed to his injuries yesterday morning at Mulago Referral hospital where he was rushed for medical care.

Before succumbing to his wounds, Sergeant Driver Okello faulted the robbery on their delayed monthly salaries