A police constable allegedly shot and killed his colleague, Constable Evarest Natujuna, in what is suspected to be a crime of passion.

The incident occurred on Thursday at Naguru police barracks in Kampala. The suspect, Constable Arthur Muhangi, reportedly entered Natujuna’s room while he was resting and fired three bullets into his head and chest, killing him instantly.

Muhangi then abandoned his firearm at the scene and fled. He remains on the run as of the time of reporting.

Conflicting motives

There are conflicting accounts regarding the motive behind the killing. Some civilian residents within the barracks allege that Muhangi accused Natujuna of having an affair with his lover, whose identity has not been disclosed. Others claim the incident stemmed from a dispute over Shs 100,000 which Muhangi was allegedly demanding from the deceased.

“The true motive of this crime isn’t yet established. Some linked it to a love affair, others to an unfulfilled debt. But what is clear is that the murder was premeditated. The suspect fled immediately after the act,” said a police officer at the scene.

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing. “We registered a suspected murder here at Naguru, where Constable Muhangi Arthur shot and killed Constable Natujuna Evarest. The suspect is currently on the run. Investigations are ongoing to establish the motive,” Rusoke said.

This latest killing comes barely eight months after another high-profile shooting within police ranks. In that incident, Constable Alex Adei, a counter-terrorism officer, shot dead his colleague Constable Seezi Tusiime before turning the gun on his wife, Barbra Apia Kongai.

Adei accused Tusiime of engaging in an affair with his wife whenever he was away on duty. Initially, police believed only Apia had been killed, but Tusiime’s body was later discovered during a sweep of the crime scene.

Adei and Apia were living as a couple at Ntinda police barracks, but had experienced relationship issues. Apia later moved to Naguru police barracks, where she was reportedly being housed by Tusiime. A joint operation by the Directorate of Crime Intelligence (DCI) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) eventually led to Adei’s arrest.