KAMPALA, Uganda — A police officer has been arrested after a motorcycle taxi rider was shot dead during a community cleaning exercise in the capital, police said.
The shooting happened at about 7:30am on Saturday in Ndejje Kanaaba, within the Katwe Police Division, according to the Uganda Police Force.
Police said officers from Ndejje Police Station had been deployed to provide security during a National Cleaning Day exercise when the incident occurred.
Preliminary findings indicate that the boda boda rider attempted to force his way through an area that had been secured for the exercise, police said.
Police Constable Allan Okello, who is attached to Ndejje Police Station, allegedly shot the rider, according to the police statement.
The circumstances surrounding the use of the firearm are under investigation.
The officer has been arrested as investigators seek to establish what led to the shooting, police said.
The deceased was identified through a National Identification Card as Kizito Ronald Jjuuko, 38.
The police force expressed condolences to Jjuuko’s family and said officers are required to ensure that any use of force is lawful, necessary and proportionate, and complies with police procedures and the law.
The incident comes as authorities conduct National Cleaning Day activities aimed at improving sanitation and public cleanliness across Uganda.
