Crime preventer on the run after shooting woman

Namayingo. A 24-year-old woman in Namayingo District was rushed to Bugiri Hospital after reportedly being shot in the leg by a crime preventer.
The victim, Ms Lydia Naigaga, is said to have been shot on Monday night by a crime preventer who was doing a night patrol.
Ms Naigaga said she was at her father’s home at Bulamba village in Namayingo Town Council when the incident happened.
Speaking to Daily Monitor from her hospital bed, Ms Naigaga said at around 10pm on the fateful day, armed police officers stormed her father’s home and attempted to arrest his brothers, who were seated outside engaged in a conversation.
In the ensuing scuffle, Ms Naigaga, who was inside a house, tried to open the door to see what was going on when a trigger-happy crime preventer opened fire in her direction, shooting her in the leg.
“I opened the door and asked what was amiss, but suddenly, a police officer started firing at the door and in the circumstance, I was shot,” Ms Naigaga said.
The police spokesman for Busoga East region, Mr James Mubi, said the person who shot and injured Ms Naigaga was not a police officer but a crime preventer who had accompanied the officers on a night patrol.
“Crime preventers are not supposed to hold any firearm and that was a tragic mistake by the officer-in-charge of Buswale Police Post,” Mr Mubi told reporters.
He continued: “It was a sad incident and we have already taken action.”
The officer-in-charge of Buswale Police Post, Mr Jacob Opolot, has been arrested. Police said they are pursing the suspect who is reportedly on the run.
Mr Mubi said the Force will support Ms Naigaga until she fully recovers.
This is the second case of law enforcers turning guns on civilians to be registered in Namayingo District.
Last year, police officers on a night patrol shot dead one person and injured two others at Kyanyonja village in Buhemba Sub-county.

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