A security guard was found dead in a swimming pool at a residential property in Naguru, Kampala, where he had been deployed to guard the premises.
Andrew Tumusiime, 24, was an employee of SGA Security Company and had been deployed to guard a home on Plot 10, Naguru.
The occupants of the residence had reportedly vacated the property two days before the incident, leaving Tumusiime and another guard responsible for its security.
Tumusiime’s daytime colleague, Edison Kyaligonza, said he became concerned when he reported for duty in the morning and could not find him.
Kyaligonza said the small gate was open, leading him to believe that Tumusiime had briefly stepped out. After waiting for some time without seeing him, he called Tumusiime’s phone.
“I waited and waited. I called his phone, and it was ringing, but no one was answering. I then moved around the house and heard his phone ringing from the swimming pool side. When I got there, I saw his clothes and then his body floating on the water. I immediately called the office, which in turn alerted the police,” Kyaligonza said.
He said Tumusiime appeared to have been recording himself while swimming before he drowned in the deeper section of the pool.
Ahamed Matoovu, chairperson of Kiwalimu Zone in Naguru, said he was alerted about the incident by the Kira Road Police Division commander and rushed to the property.
Najiv Ssenyange criticised the police response, saying officers took a long time to retrieve Tumusiime’s body. Ssenyange said the first officers who arrived at the scene appeared uncertain about how to handle the recovery and preserve evidence.
“We had to assist them. They didn’t know how to retrieve the body or handle the exhibits found at the scene. We waited for another hour for the homicide and Scene of Crime officers, who arrived late. I think police should train all officers in crime scene management, not just the Scene of Crime Officers,” Ssenyange said.
Some officers at the scene said the security company did not want the incident publicised because the property reportedly belongs to a senior Ugandan bank official.