Police officer, security guard killed in six-hour gun battle in Fort Portal

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FORT PORTAL - Tension gripped residents of Fort Portal town Friday (February 13) evening after a private security guard shot and killed an officer of the Uganda Police Force before he was later gunned down by security forces.

Businesses were closed, and transport was paralysed for nearly six hours as police attempted to neutralise the armed guard who had barricaded himself inside the offices of his company while firing live bullets.

The incident began at around 5pm when the guard, identified as Paul Mutazindwa, attached to GT Expert Security Group, started shooting. Witnesses reported that the same guard appeared distressed before the incident.

GT Expert Security Group offices where the shooting took place. (Photo by Jonan Tusingwire)

“What has happened has shocked us. We were there and heard gunshots. Shortly after, we were told that two people had been killed,” said Ronald Tukamushaba, of Kibogo road, where the incident happened.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the slain policeman was one of the team that was responding to gunfire at one of the business premises.

Police officers responded swiftly in an attempt to calm the situation and prevent any casualties. However, the guard reportedly shot and killed a police officer who had responded to the scene at the company’s offices located along Kibogo Road. The deceased officer has been identified as Duncan Bainomugyisha.

After the shooting, the guard locked himself inside the company offices as more police officers surrounded the premises. Reinforcements, including the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), later arrived at the scene in an armoured vehicle at around 7pm. A heavy exchange of gunfire between the guard, police, and the army ensued for several hours.

The standoff lasted about four more hours before security forces shot and killed the guard at around 10:30pm. Although the exact motive remains unclear, residents allege that the guard had informed family and friends that his financial situation was dire because his employers owed him an unpaid salary of six months.

“We are told that the guard was complaining that he had spent six months without receiving his salary,” said Ismail Kamari, a resident of Fort Portal city who also doubles as the Fort Portal Boda boda chairperson.

Kamari’s argument was reechoed by Keneth Twesigegye, a security guard working with another security company, who said that the deceased guard had shared the same report with him.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday, February 14, morning, the Rwenzori West Regional Police spokesperson, Vincent Twesige, confirmed the incident, stating that “no one else apart from the police officer and the guard was killed, those he had taken as hostages were rescued,” Twesige said.

He also revealed that two individuals, including one of the company directors, have been arrested to assist with investigations.

He declined to give names.