LDU arrested for shooting man dead

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Last week, another LDU officer was arrested for shooting dead a civilian at Buyala under Wakiso Policing Division.

Abdul-Aziz Mwanjje, a Local Defence Unit (LDU) officer is in trouble for allegedly shooting dead a civilian at Kabusu in Rubaga Division in Kampala Tuesday morning.

Mwanjje is detained at Old Kampala Police Station on suspicion of killing Jimmy Ssetumba, a resident of Bunamwaya in Wakiso District.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, says trouble started around 5am when a female entertainer whom witnesses described as a commercial sex worker raised an alarm accusing Ssetumba of snatching her bag containing among other things money.

According to Mr Onyango, the alarm attracted the intervention of LDUs who were on foot patrol a few metres from the scene.
Upon arrival, the LDUs allegedly ordered Ssetumba to stop in vain prompting Mwanjje to shoot him on the head.
An eye witness, Moses Kayongo, who described himself as a night watchman, alleged that Ssetumba and his accuser were involved in a sexual affair.

He claimed that the deceased was a regular client of the commercial sex worker in the area. Kayongo says the two started quarreling over money after emerging from a guest house.
Ssetumba allegedly pleaded with the sex worker to refund him some of the money in vain.

In the process, Ssetumba allegedly grabbed her bag leading to a quarrel that reportedly lasted for about 10 minutes before he decided to walk away with the bag.
This prompted the commercial sex worker to raise an alarm, which attracted the LDUs.
However, Mr Onyango says they have not got clear information about what exactly happened but they have recorded some statements from witnesses.

“We have arrested Mwanjje on charges of murder,” Mr Onyango said.
Another eye witness who identified himself as “Uncle Bo” said LDU personnel asked the lady what had happened and she she reportedly pointed at Ssetumba who was walking away at the time.
Without speaking to Ssetumba, the LDU officers allegedly opened fire at him. The victim was about five meters away from his accuser whose bag he was holding.

Police have since arrested Mwanjje on charges of murder as the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations and team piece evidence together to establish the actual cause of the shooting.
Last week, another LDU officer was arrested for shooting dead a civilian at Buyala under Wakiso Policing Division.
The Kampala Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, identified the Buyala victim as Sam Odukur, a suspect whom police had gone to arrest for assaulting his wife and the village Chairman, Musa Ssemakula.

The Buyala incident came a week after another LDU killed a man who was allegedly strangling a student of Makerere University Business School (MUBS).

The deceased was identified as Tonny Kigozi. He was gunned down around 11 pm at Mutundwe, still in Rubaga Division of Kampala on allegations of attempting to kill, Anita Namayanja.