The police in Mubende are investigating the circumstances under which a police officer allegedly committed suicide by shooting.
According to the Police spokesperson in charge of Ssezibwa region, ASP Racheal Kawala, the deceased PC Atoo Agwayi James attached to Mubende police station shot himself dead inside his residence.
On April 10, 2022 at around 10:00AM, Atoo returned from duty and went to his place of residence at Mubende police barracks for breakfast but at around 1:00 pm, gunshots were heard coming out of his residence which attracted the attention of officers who were in the barracks.
The neigbours immediately rushed to Atoo’s place only to find that the door was closed from inside, prompting them to break into the house. Upon gaining entry, the officers found PC Atoo lying helpless but still breathing and they rushed him to Mubende referral hospital for medical attention where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Kawala says, a team of officers led by the DPC Mubende later visited, examined and documented the scene of the crime and an SMG rifle number Ug police 565815228/ 34868, cartridges and ammunition were recovered from the deceased’s house. The rifle was found lying on his chest with the safety catch open. Eight cartridge casings and six live ammunition were found scattered on his mattress.
The deceased’s body has been handed over to Mubende hospital mortuary pending a postmortem.
In a press statement, Kawala encouraged police officers with certain concerns/ challenges to always speak up before it is too late.
She said investigations into the matter are ongoing to establish the probable cause of this incident.