Police investigating shooting of city businessman

CRIME   MURDER

KAMPALA - Police in Kampala is investigating the circumstances under which, the operatives of the Local Defence Unit (LDU) shot dead a city businessman identified as Robert Mugisha.

Mugisha, a resident of Kikookiro village, in Wakiso district, was allegedly shot in the stomach, at around midnight on Sunday, as he tried to flee from the LDU operatives who were trailing him, thinking the vehicle he was driving could have been stolen from somewhere since it had no number plates both; in front and behind.

         Wailing Betty Mugisha,(Centre) being consoled by her relatives yesterday (Photo by Stuart Yiga)

 
The Kampala Metropolitan deputy Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, said, investigations have already kicked off purposely to ascertain whether the shooting was lawful or not.

"The LDU's involved in the shooting told us they got intelligence information suspecting that the vehicle which Mugisha, was driving, a Toyota Progress, could have been stolen, or it was being used to carry out some illegal acts," said Owoyesigyire.

He added that, after reading on the windscreens, they realized that the vehicle in question was bearing registration numbers; UAS 042L.

"We have shared the particulars of the controversial vehicle with Uganda Revenue authority, to help us verify its true ownership," he said.

The LDU officers who were allegedly involved in the shooting include; one Alex Mwesigwa, Joshua Waiswa, among others.

Children of the late Robert Mugisha, behind them, are some of the mourners who converged at his home, located in Kikookiro village, in Wakiso district. (Stuart Yiga)

 
Meanwhile, the Uganda People's Defence Force first infantry Division Spokesperson, Major Bilal Katamba, told New Vision, that there is no doubt, their officers, killed a criminal.

"Upon getting intelligence information from the members of the public, our officers trailed Mugisha, using a different vehicle until they intercepted him. Surprisingly, they even shot some warning bullets in the air before they deflated his car tyres, but the suspect (Mugisha) still wanted to take off instead of complying with the officers' orders, this raised a lot of suspicion hence prompting them to shot at him direct," he said.

According to the deceased's relative one Jannipher Mbabazi, she alleges that it is not true his brother had stolen anyone's vehicle.

Late Robert Mugisha's youngest baby he has left behind. (Photo by Stuart Yiga)

 
"Actually that Toyota Progress is his, only that a month ago, thieves raided his home and plucked off the number plates, and left behind a note, demanding to be paid some money for them to direct him where they had placed them," she said.

Anthony Mutambu, a friend to the deceased also claims that the vehicle which the LDU operatives were using (UBG 497B) scared Mugisha, and since it was too late in the night, he thought he was being trailed by thugs.

 
It is also alleged that at the time when the LDU found Mugisha's car, he was coming from Gganda, in Nansana Municipality where he had gone to drop his female friend identified as Diana Kyazze, with whom they were coming from watching a football match at Timeless bar, located in Nansana.

"Actually to reach Kabumbi, where his vehicle was later intercepted, Mugisha, was all along trying to dodge the suspicious vehicle a Toyota Premio registration number UBG 497B which was trailing him while shooting in the air, which prompted them to shoot at him.

 
Denis Semuju, says Mugisha, deals in both old and new clothes and is based in St. Balikuddembe market commonly known as Owino.