The UPDF has apologised for the officer who shot dead his fellow security personnel and a civilian at Nansana Ganda in Wakiso District yesterday (Monday morning).
Lance Corporal Denis Awillo went berserk before killing two of his junior officers from the Local Defence Unit, a Special Police Constable and a civilian passerby who was in a vehicle.
The officer, according to the deputy UPDF spokesperson, Lt Col Deo Akiiki, was also later gunned down in self defence by his colleagues and to stop his wanton action.
Speaking to locals at Nansana Gganda after the gruesome incident, Maj Gen Sam Kawagga, the 1st Division commander said the army was sorry for the incident which he noted did not reflect the overall behaviour of the institution.
“We apologise for whatever happened. We pray for mercy from you. It was not in the plan of the UPDF for such a thing to happen. We don’t train soldiers to kill but rather to protect people and their property,” Gen Kawagga said.
Asking that the cordial relations between the army and the public must continue, Maj Gen Kawagga pledged that the UPDF will foot the treatment bills for the injured whereas the burial arrangements for the deceased will also be catered for by the army.
Whereas incidents of soldiers going on rampage to shoot either colleagues or other members of the public dead are increasing, the UPDF has always been strict on discipline among its officers and many have either been jailed or received heavy punishments over misconduct from the army court set up under the UPDF Act of 2005.
Last week, the army division court martial in Rubirizi jailed a UPDF officer for 101 years after being found guilty of shooting dead three people and injuring three others.
Private Bobson Amutuheirize attached to the 27th Battalion in Rubirizi district had on December, 27, 2020 shot to death three people including Scovia Tibakazire Bembereza, Olivia Ninsiima and Conrad Mayi, all residents of Nkondo village and also injured three others.
