A 38-year-old boda boda rider was shot dead in Kanaaba, Ndejje, in Makindye-Ssabagabo, on Saturday morning as police enforced movement restrictions during the second National Cleaning Day.
The deceased, Ronald Kizito Jjuuko, was reportedly shot shortly after 7 am by Allan Okello, an officer attached to Ndejje police post as security deployed in the area began enforcing a directive requiring members of the public to participate in the three-hour cleaning exercise.
According to residents, Jjuuko was riding towards his home when he encountered police officers enforcing the restrictions. Hassan Ssezi, a resident of Kanaaba-Ndejje, said Jjuuko appeared not to have noticed the officers until he had passed their position.
“The officers were not even visible based on the area where they were standing. He had passed them a few metres when the officer shot him from behind, and he knocked the road barricade,” Ssezi said.
Ssezi said Jjuuko appeared to have worked through the night and was heading home before the movement restrictions for the cleaning exercise took effect.
Residents also alleged that some officers attached to Ndejje police post had previously exhibited what they described as erratic behaviour and drunkenness.
Jjuuko’s body was taken to Mulago City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala said investigations had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether the use of force was justified and whether the officer followed established police procedures.
The shooting came hours after police warned that they would take tough measures against people who violated movement restrictions during the second National Cleaning Day.
In a statement issued on Friday, police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma urged the public to cooperate with security personnel deployed to enforce the directive and avoid confrontations.
“Members of the public are strongly advised to cooperate with security personnel deployed to enforce the directive and to avoid confrontations, arguments or any form of altercation,” Kituuma said, warning that confrontations could result in the use of force and arrests.
Unlike the first National Cleaning Day on July 26, when police largely stopped motorists and only a few incidents of officers reportedly forcing civilians to clean were recorded, security agencies had warned that enforcement of Saturday’s exercise would be stricter.
Police maintained that officers were deployed to maintain public order and protect life and property, but stressed that any use of force must be lawful, necessary and proportionate.
The force has also said that firearms and other forms of force must be used in accordance with the law, established operational procedures and the circumstances prevailing at the time.
One wants to ask in which country is there enforced military exercises to clean the city streets? There is no need to have armed policemen to persuade the public to clean themselves and their properties in the poor African country of Uganda. If there is no tax payers money to clean the country of Uganda, how come there is plenty of money to pay the extra expensive expenditures of running this current government?
That is exactly what happens in a Military Dictatorship under a 86-years-old PROBLEM OF AFRICA, like our Gen Tibuhaburwa: Innocent citizens get killed in military enforced National Day of Cleaning.
E.g., for those who were old enough in the 70s during Amin’s Era of Terror and Murder (Jan 25th 1971-April 1979); there was the same militarily enforced day of cleaning “Keep Uganda Clean”. And I remember, because Friday (Juma Prayer foe Muslims) was decreed as one of regular Public Holy like Sunday for Christians; a 2-hour (3-5:00pm) once a month Decree was Thursday.
As a result, any adult and/or Civil servant who goes to Town, must participate in the exercise. And my father although on early retirement due to medical condition, had to carry a slasher or Broom whenever he went to the town (Gulu).
In other words, who in his/her right state of mind can still deny that: through the force of arms, just as the Demon that used Military Dictator, Iddi Amin (RIP) to overthrew a government and destroy (kill) our country from 25th Jan 1971 to 1979; for 45 years and counting through the force of arms, the same Demon continues to use a Military Dictator, Gen Tibuhaburwa (Slow Poison), overthrew a government and destroys (kill) our country from 6th Feb 1981 (25th Jan 1986)?
I want to appeal to all Ugandans to always comply with all the directives that are issued by the Government, whether these directives are in the line with the law or not. I would like also to inform Ugandans that the GUN is meant to kill not to protect people! So you will be risking your life to confront a person carrying a gun in Uganda. Police are very stressed, motorists are confused & every person thinks that is right. Police men that operate under the influence of alcohol and other drugs offer such ugly services. They should be examined before they go for duty.
I think we exercise high levels of stupidity and we largely tolerate the nonsense. Why should any right thinking person be talking about “use of reasonable force” in a community cleaning exercise? Why do you even need to use the force anyway? Why start thinking of picking a firearm to shot at a person because you are enforcing a community cleaning exercise? Then it ceases to be a voluntary community exercise and becomes an operation. So what will you do when people decide to stay in their houses for fear of stray bullets from erratic armed persons? This is utmost stupidity and must be condemned with the highest level of displeasure whatsoever is. Community cleaning causing an armed officer in their right senses to fire at a civilian? Shame upon them!!!!