Robbers shoot one dead inside hardware shop in Jinja

JINJA - At around 8pm on Friday, armed men entered a hardware shop in Buwenge town council in Uganda's eastern city of Jinja.

Minutes later, they stormed out of the shop with an unspecified amount of money. But as the robbers made a break for it, they also left their mark: they reportedly shot one person dead and seriously injured another.

Now, the Police in Kiira region are hunting for the runaway suspects as investigations into the case of aggravated robbery and murder get under way.

The deceased was identified as Bumali Mbadi and the injured Eric Matege — at the time both clients at Praise God General Hardware, where the tragic shooting happened.

'Planned attack'

Not much is not known about what transpired that fateful evening.

Confirming the incident, Kiira Region Police spokesperson James Mubi told New Vision on Saturday morning that a joint team of homicide detectives led by DPC Morris Oyee had already visited the scene and collected vital evidence.

He said one cartridge was retrieved and would be submitted to the Government Analytical Laboratory (GAL) in Kampala for firearms experts to analyze and document ballistics-related evidence.

“We have recovered a number of cartridge shells from the scene, which will be subjected to forensic analysis. We strongly believe this was a planned attack and are following up on credible leads," said Mubi.

The scene was cordoned off with Police barricade tape.

'No stone will be left unturned'

Meanwhile, the body of Mbadi was taken to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination while injured  Matege was receiving specialized treatment at the same health facility.

Mubi urged anyone with any information about the incident to volunteer the same to Buwenge Police Station or the regional Police headquarters. 

He also used the public to remain calm but vigilant.

“We assure the community that no stone will be left unturned. We are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice."

The Friday evening incident has raised fresh concerns about insecurity in urban areas within Jinja. 

Richard Gulume, the Jinja resident city commissioner (RCC), urged residents to remain calm as the Police hunt for the suspects.

He said any suspect arrested and linked to the murder will be aligned before the courts of law.

Recently at Jinja High Court, Justice Winfred Nabisinde sentenced two robbers to 35 years behind bars at Kirinya Main Prison.

While delivering the sentence, the judge decried the rampant cases of organized and aggravated robbery involving especially youths in Jinja city and surrounding areas.