Ex-Tororo LC3 chairperson hospitalised after shooting himself multiple times - police

Police in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda are investigating circumstances under which the former LC3 chairperson of Osukuru Town Council, John Paul Okanya allegedly shot himself multiple times using a pistol.

The officer in charge of Tororo central police station, Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP) Elly  Kaigwa, said witnesses told detectives that Okanya shot himself following a bitter verbal exchange with his wife at their home in Angorom ‘’B’’ Cell, Osukuru ward Osukuru town council.
The officer told this publication that when the police reached the scene, they found Okanya lying in a pool of blood unconscious and managed to disarm him before rushing him to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. 

Police suspect Okanya shot himself out of anger following the brawl. 
 ‘’We managed to disarm him and rushed him to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. However, we suspect he shot himself out of anger since they have reportedly been having domestic fights for long,’’ said ASP Kaigwa.

A neighbor who declined to be named so that they can speak freely said Okanya and his wife have been having fights for over a year now after she accused him of adultery.
“Before we heard gunshots, the two had a bitter quarrel. They were quarrelling at the top of their voices. After a pause of about 10 minutes, we heard bullets being fired, followed by an alarm by his wife who said he had shot himself,” the neighbor said.

Tororo deputy RDC, Albert Amula condemned the shooting saying it is against the firearms use and management guidelines.
He urged all civilians who are in possession of legal firearms to ensure that they abide by the rules and regulations governing their use.

''It is unfortunate that Okanya shot himself. However, in firearms use, there is no shooting by mistake and if the investigations reveal Okanya shot himself deliberately then we shall hold him liable but for now we pray that God saves his life,'' Mr Amula said.