Magistrate saves self in mistaken identity shooting in Kyenjojo

According to Police, the magistrate, Waiswa Babu, was traveling from Fort Portal when the officer, only identified as Turyanawe, in civilian clothes started shooting at his car around Mukunyu trading centre . In panic, Babu jumped out of the moving car thinking that robbers had attacked him. The car swerved into a nearby building knocking one of the building's poles.

The injured magistrate was then arrested by Turyanawe and taken to Mukunyu Police post. However, the officer soon discovered that he had captured the wrong person.

According to Turyanawe, he had been assigned by the officer in charge of Rugombe Police post, Jocus Kimanywenda, to intercept a car registration number UBG 770E that had been involved in a hit-and-run of a pupil of Rwetuha Primary school.

The magistrate was traveling in a car registration number UAV 611W heading for work in Kyenjojo.

The Rwenzori West Region police spokesperson, Vincent Twesigye confirmed the incident saying that the magistrate filed a case of attempted murder against the officer following his release.

“The magistrate reported to police a case of attempted murder. And we gave him police form three for medical examination in the hospital. The vehicle is currently parked at Mukunyu police post for inspection,” Twesigye said.

Kimanywenda confirmed that he had asked Turyanawe to intercept a suspect connected to the accident but that he had arrested the wrong person.

Twesige noted that a rifle with 19 rounds of ammunition was retrieved from Turyanawe before he was put in police custody as investigations continue.