Police spokesperson shot dead by unknown gunmen outside his home

dennis kibet

March 17, 2017 11:33 AM

He died along with two of his bodyguards as he was heading to address students at the Uganda Christian University.

Ugandan Police Spokesperson Andrew Kaweesi has been shot dead by unknown gunmen a few metres from his home in Kulambiro, Nakawa Division, Kampala.

The two bodyguards killed were identified as Corporal Erau Kenneth and Constable Geoffrey Mambewa.

According to eye witness reports, the unknown gunmen were on a boda boda.

On Thursday, Kaweesi had appeared on television where he spoke on the Kasese attacks that have has seen dozens killed in the past few months across Kasese District in Uganda’s Rwenzori region.

Extra-judicial killings

Human Rights Watch had called for an independent investigation into killings allegedly carried out by Ugandan security forces.

According to the New York-based group, more than 155 people, including at least 15 children, were killed on Nov. 26 and 27 last year in a joint military and police operation.

The deaths followed long-standing tensions and violence between the government and the ethnic Bakonzo people of the Rwenzururu kingdom, based in Kasese.

Kaweesi was on record saying the shooting by security forces was “lawful because it was necessary to respond to the danger that was posed to them and the law allows us to use excessive force in particular circumstances.”

The police have remained tight lipped over the incident and are yet to speak to the media concerning the shooting.

Police cordoned off the scene and refused onlookers to take pictures of the bodies.

The were later taken to Mulago Hospital for a post mortem.

dennis kibet