Guard shoots 13-year-old over Shs500 debt
Jeremiah Wanyosi admitted to Iganga Hospital after reportedly being shot by Mr Aaron Wavamuno, a security guard. Photo by Yazid Yolisigira
MAYUGE: Police in Mayuge have arrested a private security guard attached to Security Group for allegedly shooting a 13-year-old boy who had gone to demand for Shs500 after selling him a broom on credit.
Mr Aaron Wavamuno, a security guard at Opportunity Bank in Mayuge town on Thursday evening allegedly shot Mr Jeremiah Wanyosi in both legs.
The victim, a resident of Dwaliro zone who vends brooms for a living while speaking to Daily Monitor from his hospital bed at Iganga Hospital where he is admitted, said he had gone to demand for Shs500, which is payment for a broom he had earlier given Mr Wavamuno on credit.
But when he approached him and demanded for the money, the suspect allegedly became hostile and shot at him, shattering both legs.
The suspect however denied that the shooting was due to his alleged failure to pay a Shs500 debt.
“I didn’t have his debt. The fact is that I accidentally shot him because he was provoking me by claiming that my gun was fake and could not shoot,”Mr Wavamuno said in defense, explaining that he wanted to demonstrate to Mr Wanyosi that the gun he was carrying was functioning by shooting into the ground but unfortunately; the bullet hit the victim’s legs.
Ms Sarah Mutesi, who is attending to the victim, said that since the incident happened, they have not received any help from the suspect’s employer.
“Since we came here, no one has come to check on us; the boy’s parent is poor and we have no money for medicine,” she said.
The Officer-in-Charge (OC) Criminal Investigations and Intelligence department (CIID) at Mayuge Police Station, Mr Abdu Nasser Mulimira, on Friday confirmed the guard’s arrest and faulted him for failing to control his emotions.
“This sends a message to owners of security companies to always give full training to their guards. In this case, the shooting was not called for,” Mr Mulimira told reporters, adding that once investigations are completed, the guard will to be arraigned before Court and charged accordingly.
