CLEANING DAY MURDER! Fresh Details Emerge on Boda Rider Shot Dead by ‘Trigger-Happy’ Cop Allan Ogwal

WAKISO

Fresh details have emerged surrounding the controversial shooting of a 38-year-old boda boda rider and father of five during enforcement of Uganda’s National Cleaning Day exercise in Wakiso District.

Ronald Juuko Kizito was shot dead on Saturday in Kanaba Zone, Ndejje Division, Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, while reportedly returning home after completing his night shift at Zzana boda boda stage.

Police Constable Allan Ogwal, attached to Ndejje Police Post, is accused of firing the fatal shot as Kizito approached an enforcement point at about 7:00am.

The shooting has sparked public outrage, with witnesses giving an account that differs from the initial police explanation of events.

According to eyewitnesses, police officers had been positioned at intervals along the road as they enforced the cleaning exercise.

The witnesses said the first officer waved at Kizito to stop, but he was already too close and rode past without stopping.

Ogwal, who was reportedly positioned further ahead and had witnessed the encounter, allegedly opened fire.

The bullet reportedly entered Kizito’s back and exited through his chest, causing him to fall from his motorcycle in the middle of the road.

Fellow officers reportedly took Ogwal away from the scene and detained him at Ndejje Police Post before transferring him to Katwe Police Division, where investigations were taken over.

Kizito’s body was transported to the City Mortuary at Mulago before his family collected it for burial in Bamunanika Sub-county on Sunday.

His elder brother, Suuna Mulema, said he went to Ndejje Police Post after learning about the shooting and was given an explanation that the deceased had refused to stop.

“I reached the scene around midday and went to Ndejje Police Post, where the officer in charge told me that my brother was big-headed, that he was stopped and refused to stop,” Mulema said.

He questioned why police would resort to lethal force if Kizito had allegedly failed to stop.

“I asked him, why not shoot to deflate the tyres and arrest him so he could serve a punishment, rather than ending his life?” Mulema said.

Mulema further alleged that police were portraying Kizito as having attempted to knock down officers in order to justify the shooting.

The family says it was later directed to Katwe Police Station, which had taken over the investigation, and was told to follow up on the deceased’s belongings, including his phone and national identity card.

Mulema said he was issued a letter at Katwe authorising him to collect the body from the City Mortuary and was told that investigations were still ongoing.

However, he said the family has not received any further communication from police since the burial.

EXPECTANT WIFE CLAIM DISMISSED

There were also claims circulating that Kizito had been rushing to hospital to see his expectant wife when he was shot.

But Mulema dismissed the account, saying his younger brother was simply returning from his night shift.

He said Kizito’s wife and children were staying at their family home in Luseenke, Wobulenzi Town, Luwero, and that there was no family member admitted to hospital.

Mulema revealed that Kizito had only moved into a rented room in Kanaba, Ndejje, about two months ago to make it easier for him to work night shifts and get some rest.

Previously, he had reportedly been riding between Kampala and Wobulenzi every night for about five years.

His death has left behind five children, with the eldest currently in Senior One.

The family says Kizito was the sole breadwinner and is now appealing for support to keep the children in school.

They are also demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and justice for their relative.

POLICE: FORCE WAS NOT PROPORTIONATE

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that investigations are ongoing and said Ogwal will be produced before court.

Rusoke said investigators are examining whether the force used by the officer was proportionate to the threat he faced.

“As Uganda Police, the reason he is currently behind bars is that we strongly believe the force he used was not proportionate to the threat,” Rusoke said.

He added that questions surrounding whether the force was legitimate and whether the officer can account for his actions will ultimately be addressed through the courts.

“He will be allowed to defend himself,” Rusoke said.

Rusoke also urged the public not to condemn the National Cleaning Day exercise because of the actions of what he described as one errant officer who allegedly acted contrary to police code of conduct.

On compensation for the bereaved family, Rusoke said he had not yet received a briefing from the police welfare department.

CLEANING DAY CONTROVERSY

Kizito’s shooting has further intensified criticism surrounding enforcement of the National Cleaning Day exercise.

There have been complaints from members of the public alleging that some security officers have forced people out of their homes to participate in cleaning activities, beaten those who resisted and compelled residents to clean roadsides.

Critics argue that such actions go beyond the primary role assigned to police under the guidelines governing the exercise.

With Ogwal expected to face court proceedings, attention now turns to the investigation into whether the shooting was justified and whether the force used against Kizito was lawful and proportionate.