Kampala businessman shot dead in armed robbery
Police on Saturday morning sealed off the scene where the businessman was killed. Courtesy photo
What you need to know:
- The deceased's vehicle was also found parked outside his shop.
- The data released by Gen Jeje Odongo during an awareness workshop on the proposed Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Bill in Entebbe recently indicate that 503 people were killed between 2014 and 2016, while another 1,477 survived with serious gunshot wounds.
- The minister admitted that the government lacks the data to estimate accurately the number of illegally held guns that have been used in illegal operations.
Residents of Muswangali zone, Salaama road in Makindye Division, Kampala were on Saturday morning left in grief and fear after a businessman in the area was shot dead in what is believed to be armed robbery by unknown assailants.
Police said Mathias Byamugisha, a businessman along Salaama road opposite ETM International church was attacked and killed at about 3am on Saturday and robbed of an unspecified amount of money.
“By the time police arrived at the scene, his shop was still open. We picked his body and took it to Mulago National referral Hospital for postmortem,” said Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Mr Emilian Kayima.
Mr Kayima added that police are hunting for the suspects who are on the run to ensure that justice prevails.
“We are following any possible possible leads to see that the suspects are arrested and brought to book,” he added.
The deceased's vehicle was also found parked outside his shop.
People gathered at the scene where the businessman was shot dead by unknown armed assailants. Courtesy photo
500 Ugandans shot dead in three years
The data released by Gen Jeje Odongo during an awareness workshop on the proposed Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Bill in Entebbe recently indicate that 503 people were killed between 2014 and 2016, while another 1,477 survived with serious gunshot wounds. The killings were as a result of shooting involving legal and illegal guns in circulation.
Gen Odongo told MPs on Defence and Internal Affairs Committee, who are currently scrutinising the Bill and other invited stakeholders, that in 2014, at least 181 people were shot dead, and another 151 people killed in 2015, while more 171 people were again shot dead last year. He called the development "a dangerous trend that should be addressed."
"According to the Uganda Police crime statistics, homicide cases, through use of firearms, have been registered in various parts of the country, with statistics showing a dangerous trend that should be addressed," Gen Odongo said.
However, the minister admitted that the government lacks the data to estimate accurately the number of illegally held guns that have been used in illegal operations. He said only 6,000 of the civilian-owned guns are registered in the country, while more 16,783 guns are held by private security organisations.
