Aronda’s guard shoots two dead

A guard to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, has shot dead two unarmed civilians and injured another after a disagreement following a traffic incident.

Corporal Fred Mukanya allegedly shot Moses Odongo and Ali Musa, who were in a sedan car, after they knocked his double cabin car at around 3am on Sunday morning near Capital Pub in Kabalagala, a Kampala suburb.

An eye witness who asked not to be named said the scuffle started when Cpl. Mukanya moved out of his car and allegedly attempted to confiscate keys from the motorists who had knocked him—but the latter resisted.

Cyclist knocked
“After they refused to give him the keys, Cpl Mukanya went back to his car and removed a gun and shot several rounds at them,” said the source.
In an attempt to flee, the army boss’ guard knocked and seriously injured a boda boda cyclist.

He was later arrested by the army and handed over to Kabalagala Police Station where he was still detained by last night. Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba confirmed the arrest of the soldier on charges of murder.

“He is recording a statement with us in regard to the shooting. The bodies of the victims have been taken to the morgue for a post mortem,” Ms Nabakooba said yesterday.

But the army, through its spokesperson, Lt. Col. Kulayigye, had a different version of the story. In a statement sent to Daily Monitor, Lt. Col. Kulayigye said Cpl Mukanya shot the two people after one of the victims, whom he described as an “assailant”, reportedly trued to disarm the guard.

“Cpl. Mukanya stopped and inquired as to why they were driving without due regard to other road users! The response was rather unexpected, as the occupants of the Toyota Premio, insulted the corporal and threatened to beat him up,” said Lt. Col. Kulayigye.

Army’s version
The army spokesperson said in scuffle, Cpl Mukanya went to his car, drew his rifle fired 10 bullets, which injured the two men “that died as the police was driving them to hospital”.

The army, however, has regretted the incident and Gen. Aronda has instituted a commission of inquiry under the Director of the Special Investigations Bureau into the matter.

“People get involved in accidents every day, you either ignore or go to the police; so what could have warranted the shooting?” Gen. Aronda is quoted as asking in the statement.

“Investigations to establish what could have driven a hitherto very disciplined Cpl Mukanya to draw his gun leave alone shoot people are very essential,” Lt. Col. Kulayigye said, adding:

Public cautioned
“Let us avoid driving when under the influence of alcohol because we are convinced it was partly responsible for what happened this morning. The UPDF shall always uphold its unwavering respect for the people of Uganda for whom is the reason of our existence.”

This isn’t the first time a soldier has shot unarmed civilians dead over a minor disagreement. In 2009, a President Guard Brigade soldier, Pte Julius Mucunguzi shot eight people dead at Top Pub in Kampala on claims that his mobile phone and money had been stolen by a female bar reveller.