Authorities in Kampala are currently probing a heartbreaking incident in which a soldier attached to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) shot his lover before turning the gun on himself.
Corporal Collins Andebo, stationed at Makindye Military Police, reportedly fired at Peroni Atulinda, a civilian support staff with the military police, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Deputy Spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Police, Luke Owoyesigyire, disclosed that the couple, who had been living together in Lusaka Zone, Makindye Division, had recently separated due to misunderstandings.
According to reports, armed with an AK-47 rifle and dressed in civilian clothing, Cpl Andebo confronted Atulinda as she was about to board a motorcycle.
“He opened fire on her, resulting in serious injuries to her arms. Cpl Andebo then turned the firearm on himself, leading to his death upon arrival at Mulago Hospital,” ASP Owoyesigyire stated. “Our prompt response managed to rush the victim to Nsambya Hospital, where unfortunately, she was pronounced dead.”
Atulinda’s body was transported to City Mortuary Mulago for a postmortem examination. The police recovered the weapon used in the shooting along with 13 cartridges at the scene. Investigations have revealed a history of relationship issues between the couple spanning about five years.
“We are currently conducting inquiries to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. Statements from witnesses are being collected to aid our investigation,” ASP Owoyesigyire added.
In response to the incident, Deputy Defence Spokesperson Col Deo Akiiki disclosed that Cpl Andebo had been deployed to provide security for former State Minister for Water Resources Ronald Kibuule.
“Our political commissar, responsible for discipline within our forces, attempted to intervene until today when Andebo left his post early in the morning and committed this act,” Col Akiiki said.
This tragedy comes just days after Lance Corporal Alfred Warder Okori was allegedly stabbed to death by his wife, Mercy Alowo, a police constable, following domestic disputes at Prisons Academy and Training School.
Cpl Okori was pronounced dead at Luzira Prisons Staff Clinic before his body was transferred to Mulago Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination.
Alowo was apprehended by prison security and handed over to the police for further investigation.
The heartbreaking incident adds to a series of cases involving armed security personnel resorting to violence against their partners before taking their own lives in Uganda.
