Cleaner shot dead at popular William Street hangout, soldier arrested

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Tragedy struck in the early hours of Tuesday (January 20, 2026) morning at Top Pub, a popular hangout along Kampala city's William Street, after a soldier shot dead a man employed as a cleaner at the facility following a brief misunderstanding inside the bar.

The shooting occurred at about 5:00am, sending shockwaves through patrons and workers who had gathered at the establishment in the final hours of the night.

According to eyewitnesses, the suspect, only identified as Rodger, had been drinking and playing a game of pool with a colleague when the two developed a disagreement whose cause remains unclear.

The misunderstanding quickly escalated, prompting Rodger to abandon the pool table and walk away in apparent anger.

“He suddenly stood up, left the table and headed towards the washrooms,” said one witness who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.

At around the same time, a cleaner attached to the facility went to the same area to perform his routine duties.

“The cleaner routinely cleans once someone enters or leaves the facility. When he saw a customer head to the washrooms, he later followed to do the same job. It was tragic,” the witness said.

Moments later, a loud gunshot rang out, throwing the bar into panic. Patrons screamed and scattered as staff rushed towards the washrooms, only to find the cleaner lying on the floor in a pool of blood, fatally wounded.

Bar management and workers immediately alerted the Police, who arrived at the scene minutes later and sealed off the premises. Shortly after the police arrival, a military truck drove to the facility and picked up the suspect.

“The military came with their truck and left with the shooter,” a worker said. “After that, we did not see him again.”

By press time, scene of crime officers were still combing the facility, examining the washrooms, collecting exhibits and reviewing available CCTV footage as investigations continued.

The body of the deceased was later removed and taken to the city mortuary for a post-mortem examination, while detectives recorded statements from witnesses and bar staff.

Police said a case of murder had been registered and investigations were ongoing to establish the exact circumstances leading to the shooting, the motive behind the attack and the status of the firearm used. Authorities said they are working with military officials to trace and record a statement from the suspect.

The incident has revived painful memories of an earlier shooting at the same establishment.

“This is not the first time,” police said.

In 2013, one person was shot dead and six others critically injured and admitted to Mulago National Referral Hospital when an unidentified man opened fire following a disagreement with his girlfriend in a city pub.

In 2009, eight people were wounded when a soldier shot into revellers at Top Pub and Restaurant.