An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a woman who was a passenger in a vehicle that attempted to force its way into the State Lodge in Nakasero.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when the vehicle, driven by Shafic Bwanika, alias Shafic Mayanja, sped towards one of the entrances despite warnings from security personnel.
“Warnings by the officers at the checkpoint were ignored as the vehicle continued to speed towards them. They shot at the vehicle and unfortunately injured a female occupant,” a source familiar with the matter told the Nile Post on Thursday.
It is alleged that the driver, Bwanika, had been posing as a State House employee and had defrauded the victim, Mercy Evelyn Aketch Adiko, 23, of Shs10 million with promises of securing her a job in Canada.The victim had reported the matter to the police, who laid a trap to arrest Bwanika.
On the day of the incident, Bwanika told Adiko he would take her to the State Lodge to prove his connection to State House, but upon realizing he was being followed by the police, he panicked and attempted to drive through the checkpoint.
“On realizing he was being followed, he panicked and tried to drive through the checkpoint, and that’s how everything unfolded,” another source said.
The shots fired at the vehicle injured Adiko, who later succumbed to her injuries, while Bwanika was arrested as he tried to flee the scene.Special Forces Command public information officer, Maj Jimmy Omara, confirmed the incident and said investigations have begun to ascertain the circumstances surrounding it.
“There was an attempted breach of security on one of our gates by an unidentified car that wanted to forcefully gain access into State Lodge Nakasero. Even after warnings were given by security, the car failed to adhere to the protocol given by the guards on duty. The car drove off, and the driver, Shafik, was arrested by police after trying to flee,” Maj Omara said.
“We have opened investigations into the matter to understand the motive of the suspect. The suspect has been taken into custody by police at CPS Kampala.”
The case of abduction against Bwanika has been recorded at CPS under SD REF 87/30/4/2024 CRB742/2024.Maj Omara urged members of the public to always adhere to security protocols and follow instructions from security personnel.
“We implore members of the public who would like to access such restricted areas to follow security protocols in place, plus making use of the available writings on posts and sign posts at checkpoints. They should not forget adhering to instructions at all times,” Maj Omara said.
Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, confirmed the incident but declined to give details “to avoid jeopardizing investigations.”
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