A 45-year-old man has died after being shot by soldiers near the Kilembe Mines checkpoint in Kasese town, western Uganda.
Police say he was carrying a panga, but the circumstances are still under investigation.
Mugisa Mbasa, a resident of Katiri Trading Centre in Bulembia Division, was shot near Ribona Guest House, close to Katonzi Cell. He died on Tuesday morning at Rukoki Hospital.
According to preliminary information, Mbasa approached the checkpoint carrying a sack and a panga. Security personnel stopped him for a search, but he allegedly raised the panga, moved towards them and then fled towards Kasese town.
The officers pursued him and caught up with him near Ribona Guest House, where he entered roadside bushes. They fired two warning shots, but Mbasa allegedly charged at one of them with the panga raised. They then shot him in the right thigh.
The officers have been identified as L/Cpl Richard Okwele and Pte Sidedi Aharimpisa, both UPDF personnel. They reportedly rushed him to Kasese Municipality Health Centre, from where he was referred to Rukoki Hospital.
Rwenzori East Police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate confirmed the incident. He said Mbasa’s body had been taken to Kasese Municipal Mortuary for a postmortem and that inquiries were ongoing. Police have not disclosed what was in the sack.
Residents’ account
Brian Bwambale, a neighbour of Ribona Guest House, said residents saw security personnel chasing Mbasa and heard gunshots moments later. He said soldiers routinely inspect sacks carried through the checkpoint because of concerns about theft of property belonging to the defunct Kilembe Mines Limited.
Mbasa was reportedly believed to be of unsound mind, though police have not given details about his mental health.