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WAKISO - In a tragic turn of events, a shooting incident occurred at Serene Woods Bar in Bulindo, Kira Division, Wakiso District, resulting in the death of a security guard only identified as Balaam.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, identified the shooter as Coporal Colbert Jawiambe, a Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) soldier attached to the 1st Infantry Division in Kakiri.

According to Onyango, the incident took place on March 2, 2024, at approximately 4:00 am when Jawiambe became involved in a dispute with a waiter over a balance of sh6,000 at the bar.

“Following the altercation, Jawiambe, who was on duty guarding a construction site, returned to his post and armed himself with an SMG rifle loaded with 120 rounds of live ammunition,” Onyango said.

Upon returning to the bar, Jawiambe was stopped by the bouncer, Balaam, resulting in a confrontation that escalated when the suspect fired shots, fatally injuring Balaam. The suspect fled the scene with the weapon used in the shooting, according to Onyango.

He said Balaam was rushed to Najeera Hospital for treatment but was later transferred to Mulago Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during transportation.

Jawiambe later surrendered himself to the Police along with the firearm, UPDF gun number 48012768, containing 118 rounds of live ammunition. He was subsequently rearrested and transferred to Kira Police Station for further investigation, according to Onyango.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, identified the suspected shooter as corporal Colbert Jawiambe, a Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) soldier attached to First Division Kakiri, who has since been charged with murder by shooting.

A team of officers visited the scene to gather evidence and conduct inquiries into the matter, which remains ongoing.

By press time, the army had not issued a statement in connection to the shooting.

Why the spike in murders?

Land wrangles, infidelity, mob justice, family wrangles and business rivalry were cited as some of the main causes of murders registered by the Uganda Police Force last year.

According to the 2023 Annual Crime Report released last week, 4,248 murder cases were reported in 2023 compared to 4,043 cases reported in 2022.

On Saturday, internal affairs minister Maj. Gen. (rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, told New Vision that “the shootings across the country are being orchestrated by former cops, army personnel and some criminals with knowledge in handling guns”.