Security guard shoots journalist dead at Coca-Cola depot

Simon Ekou, a 38-year-old security guard working with Blue Whale security company Limited, on Wednesday night shot and killed Gerald Asera, who is a news anchor at Kings Broadcasting Services in Masindi.

It is alleged that on June 1 2022 in the evening, the armed suspect was on duty at a Coca Cola Depot in Masindi when he saw the victim identified as Gerald Asera entering the Coca-Cola compound through the gateless main entrance.

Asera allegedly went straight to where the cartons of sodas were and picked up four of them.

Then, as he was leaving, Ekou shot him in the chest.

Allan Hakiza, the police spokesperson Albertine Region, said police were informed of the shooting and quickly ensured Asera was taken to Masindi hospital where he died of his injuries.

“Unfortunately, he succumbed to the injuries. A team of officers visited the scene of the crime and recovered the rifle number UG. PSO21008209637 and three rounds of ammunition from the suspect. These have been exhibited,” he said.

Police say that Ekou is in detention as police investigations are underway.

Security Guards on the loose

The killing of Asera piles onto the growing concern about trigger-happy security guards.

In March this year, the Territorial Police, Nansana Division, identified the body that was stuffed in a sack and intercepted while being transported by Nabasa Gideon, a 31-year-old, Private Security Guard of Afrisafe guards, as that of Kagezi Amon, a resident of Kijangi village in Hoima district.

In 2019, five incidents of private security guards shooting civilians were registered in Kampala City and the metropolitan area.

Incidents of guards killing people have not only happened in Kampala but also upcountry. A guard in Mbarara District was arrested for allegedly shooting dead one person and injuring another in 2019, too.