Two killed in separate shootings involving security personnel
According to an incident report from the Rwenzori West Region, detective Sharon Namara, a police officer attached to Rubona Police Station in Bunyangabu district, was shot dead at about 5:00pm on October 5, 2026.
Two killed in separate shootings involving security personnel
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Two people, including a police officer, were shot dead in separate incidents in Bunyangabu and Kween districts in the last 24 hours, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding both shootings.
In Bunyangabu, a police constable was allegedly shot by a fellow officer while they were on duty at Rubona Police Station; in Kween, an 18-year-old woman was killed by a stray bullet allegedly fired by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers as they attempted to disperse a crowd that had gathered to lynch a suspected witch doctor.
The incidents are being investigated under reference numbers BUNY CRB 501/2026 and KWEEN CRB 306/2026, respectively.
Police officer shot in Bunyangabu
According to an incident report from the Rwenzori West Region, detective Sharon Namara, a police officer attached to Rubona Police Station in Bunyangabu district, was shot dead at about 5:00pm on October 5, 2026. The report, recorded under BUNY CRB 501/2026, identifies Probationer Police Constable Joshua Gumprom, 22, as the suspect.
Gumprom, a resident of Rubona Town Council in Bunyangabu, was also attached to Rubona Police Station.
The police report states that three officers; Gumprom, Probationer Police Constable Sadrack Ojeda and Namara, were on duty at the station when the shooting occurred.
“Suddenly, Gumprom started opening a safety catch and shot the deceased without any provocation,” the report states.
Namara was rushed to Buhinga Hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The incident was reported at about 5:26pm by Assistant Superintendent of Police Gastone Twinamasiko, the officer in charge of Bunyangabu Central Police Station.
The scene was examined and documented, while Gumprom was arrested for interrogation.
Police also obtained a statement from a witness and recovered the rifle and cartridge allegedly connected to the shooting.
The report further states that preliminary observations showed that Namara had been shot at close range.
Police said inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the shooting were still ongoing.
Teenager killed in Kween
In Kween district, an 18-year-old woman was killed by a suspected stray bullet during an attempt by UPDF soldiers to disperse a mob that had gathered to attack a man accused of witchcraft.
The incident occurred at about 7:00pm on October 4, 2026, in Korite Village, Korite Parish, Greek River sub-county.
The deceased was identified as Praise Chepkwemoi, an 18-year-old resident of Korite Village.
According to the police report, residents had apprehended a man identified as Charles Namonye alias Walimbwa, whom they accused of practising witchcraft.
Police said the man was allegedly found in possession of wildlife and other items, including snake heads, chicken heads and the tail of a wild animal.
They were identified as Sgt. Nambale Baguma, Pte Dickson Mungutie and Pte Yason Ongerep.
According to the report, Baguma was carrying rifle number UD 6079-1998, loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition, while Mungutie was carrying rifle number 261442, loaded with 116 rounds. Ongerep was not carrying a firearm.
On arrival, the soldiers allegedly found a large crowd gathered and threatening to subject the suspect to mob justice.
Police said the soldiers fired live ammunition to scare away the crowd.
“Upon their arrival at Korite, they found people have gathered to mob justice the suspect, and they fired bullets in order to scare the angry mob, but by coincidence a stray bullet landed on a victim called Chepkwemoi,” the report states.
Chepkwemoi was rushed to Alex’s Clinic for first aid before she was referred to Karita Hospital, but died on the way.
The report states that police found the three soldiers at the scene and arrested them. They were escorted to the police station and detained.
Police recorded statements from eyewitnesses and secured the scene pending examination by the Scene of Crime Officer and the homicide team from Kween Central Police Station.
Investigators are seeking the postmortem report and cartridges from the scene for ballistic analysis to establish which firearm discharged the fatal bullet.
The case file is expected to be forwarded to the Resident State Attorney for legal advice, while exhibits will be sent for forensic examination in Kampala.
Police said inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Chepkwemoi’s death are still ongoing.