Man who attacked police patrol at Kampala’s New Taxi Park shot dead

The yet-to-be-identified man took off after throwing the stone at the officers and attempted to disappear into a drainage pipe. Police are now investigating circumstances under which the events unfolded.

“It is alleged that while police officers were on a patrol vehicle that had parked in the New taxi park at around 11pm yesterday, an unidentified person hit an officer, Police Constable Lambat Ekomut with a stone,” Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Mr Luke Owoyesigyire said on Saturday.

He added, “It is alleged that PC Ekomut caught up with the suspect and attempted to arrest him. A scuffle ensued, which led to an officer discharging a bullet,”

The bullet reportedly hit the suspect in the stomach and later succumbed to the bullet wound and the bleeding, according to police.

“An inquiry into the shooting incident is ongoing. The gun suspected to have been used during the incident has been recovered and submitted for analysis. Efforts are underway to identify the victim. More details will be availed as soon as possible,” Mr Owoyesigyire added in a Saturday afternoon statement.

The Ugandan government has been criticized for militarizing the police force by appointing military officers to top positions on the police force, undermining traditional structures which are pro-civilian.

Beginning in 2000, President Museveni has meshed the army into the police. He started by deploying Gen. Katumba Wamala to be Inspector General of Police from 2001 to 2005. He was succeeded by Gen. Kale Kayihura from 2005 and 2018.