Anita Namakula, one of the four people who were shot by Uganda People’s Defence Force -UPDF soldier in the wee hours of Tuesday morning has also died. Lance Corporal, David Katamugaya, opened fire at four people at Naiga bar in Boston village, Makindye division, in Kampala killing one on spot.
Aggrey Ampumuza was killed on the spot while Namakula was taken to St Francis Nsambya hospital. Two other victims including Ampuza’s brother Ben Twinamatsiko and another unidentified man were rushed to Mulago hospital.
However, Namakula succumbed to the bullet injuries in the evening hours of Tuesday according to ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson.
Locals have since told police that at around 3 am, five individuals were drinking beer at the bar dubbed Naiga Establishment along Mirembe Road in Boston Village, Salama Parish, Makindye Division.
However, a tragedy occurred when UPDF officer, Katamugaya, wearing a green digital army uniform and carrying an AK47 approached the group. Katamugaya instructed one of them to step aside and opened fire towards the remaining four thus instantly killing Ampumuza.
“Eyewitness accounts state that Katamugaya left the bar after warning the group that he would come back and deal with them. He returned 15 minutes later carrying a gun and shot at the group, instantly killing Aggrey Ampumuza, a resident of the same address,” Owoyesigyire said.
Katwe police station rushed to the scene upon receiving an alert about the shooting incident. The crime scene was sealed off and documented by Scene of Crime Officers- SOCOs. At the scene, forensic experts collected five bullet cartridges and a projectile.
The homicide team from Katwe has since ascertained that the shooter was one of the bodyguards attached to the Kooki cultural leader commonly known as Kamuswaga. Owoyesigyire said police found an AK47 rifle with 24 rounds of ammunition at his residence. However, the suspect is still at large, and investigations are in high gear to have him apprehended.
“The cause of the shooting is currently unknown, however, there is an allegation of a crime of passion after reports emerged that Katamugaya was in a relationship with now deceased Namakula. The soldier accused Aggrey of meddling in their relationship,” Owoyesigyire said.
Owoyesigyire has urged the public to help in providing information that may assist in the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrator of the gruesome killings and injuries. Ampumuza and Namakula’s bodies are at Mulago hospital morgue for a post-mortem.
“We want to assure the public that the police are working tirelessly to apprehend the perpetrator and bring him to justice. We also extend our condolences to the family and friends of Aggrey during this difficult time,” Owoyesigyire said.
The Boston village incident comes at the time when the Criminal Investigations Directorate -CID has released the 2022 annual crime report showing more than 200 people were killed by shooting.