Police have been criticized for shooting and killing a father who had locked himself inside a house with his five-year-old boy.
Suleiman Male was shot dead on Saturday in Kisalosalo, in Kyebando, by policemen who had allegedly responded to locals’ alarm alleging that the deceased was planning to chop his son into pieces.
Police’s response by killing Male triggered locals raged saying shooting should not have been the first option. People went ahead to described police as incompetent in handling intricate situations.
However, Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala police spokesperson, explains that Kira Road Police Station shot Male purposely to rescue his five-year old child who he was about to be cut using a machete over unknown reasons.
Owoyesigyire said during the rescue, the officer discharged a bullet to disable the father, Suleiman Male, 28, but it fatally injured him. Police say the incident that happened at around 11am at Kyebando, a city suburb should be blamed on Male’s refusal to heed to police warning.
“It is alleged Male, a resident of Kisaasi and a crafts man, picked his only child Isamu Male, 5, from their home to Kisalosalo Kyebando. Upon reaching Kyebando, he forcefully gained access to the house of a friend Ismail Ssesanga while wielding a machete,” Owoyesigyire said.
Police add that all occupants in Sesanga’s house fled to the nearby police station, where they reported the case. Owoyesigyire said the security officers found when Male had locked himself in one room and all peaceful efforts to demand him open the door and release the child failed.
It was at this point police forcefully gained access into the room he had locked himself in. The deceased according to police who was found holding the child head down with one hand while another hand had been raised up with a machete ready to cut.
“The officers asked him to drop the machete, the order he declined to heed to. He went on to swing the weapon which put the life of the child in danger prompting on of the security personnel to shoot him and he dropped the child.
The suspect died at the scene. The child has been taken to police for care as investigations continue,” Owoyesigyire said.
Nevertheless, police leadership in Kampala have opened up inquiries into the shooting and the intention of Male. Some statements from the locals at scene including the deceased’s relatives have been taken.