Police have launched investigations into a shooting incident in which a man was killed during an attempted arrest in Bukwo District.
The incident occurred on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at about 1pm in Chemusebe Village, Kapchemoken Parish, Brim Sub-county.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said preliminary investigations indicate that officers from Giriki Police Station in neighbouring Kween District travelled to Bukwo to arrest a suspect.
The officers reportedly coordinated with their counterparts at Riwo Sub-county Police Station before proceeding to Brim Sub-county, accompanied by an officer familiar with the area.
According to Rusoke, the officers found the suspect washing a motorcycle near a stream at Chemusebe Trading Centre.
“Upon seeing the police officers, the suspect abandoned the motorcycle and fled. The motorcycle was subsequently impounded,” Rusoke said.
He said the officers were later approached by area leaders and relatives who claimed ownership of the motorcycle.
It was during this interaction, according to the preliminary police account, that the deceased, identified as Mutakan, approached the officers while allegedly armed with a panga and stones.
“Mutakan allegedly threatened the officers, struck one of them with a stone and continued advancing despite attempts by his mother and other people at the scene to restrain him,” Rusoke said.
Police said officers fired warning shots in an attempt to deter the alleged attack, but Mutakan reportedly continued advancing before he was shot.
He was rushed to Bukwo General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Rusoke said four people, including the police officers involved in the operation, are currently being questioned as investigations continue.
“The circumstances surrounding this particular incident are still under investigation. The investigation will establish the circumstances under which the firearms were discharged and whether the force used was lawful, necessary and proportionate,” he said.
The police spokesperson urged members of the public to exercise restraint during police operations and avoid attacking, threatening or attempting to disarm officers carrying out their duties.
“Such actions place the lives of police officers, suspects and other members of the public at serious risk and may result in avoidable injuries or loss of life,” Rusoke said.
He cited previous incidents in which police officers were killed during confrontations with members of the public.
In April 2025, Police Constable Suleiman Chemonges was killed by a mob while providing security at a burial ceremony in Ibanda District.
Similarly, on May 18, 2025, Police Constable John Bosco Naturinda was killed after an arrest operation in Tecik Village, Ngai Sub-county, Oyam District, reportedly escalated into mob violence.
According to police, Naturinda and two colleagues had gone to arrest a suspect when members of the community intervened and attempted to disarm them. During the ensuing confrontation, a civilian was fatally injured, after which the officers were attacked by a mob. Naturinda was killed, while his two colleagues sustained injuries.
Rusoke urged the public to remain calm during police operations, comply with lawful instructions and use established legal and administrative channels to raise complaints or challenge police conduct.
“No individual or group should take the law into their own hands,” he said.
He added that the Uganda Police Force remains committed to investigating allegations of unlawful conduct by its officers and ensuring that police operations are conducted within the law.
At the same time, Rusoke said police officers must be protected from unlawful attacks while carrying out their duties.
