Police in Masaka District are investigating a fatal shooting incident in which a two-year-old boy was killed and two others injured during a violent altercation at a local bar.
The incident occurred in Ndeeba–Lwagulwe Village, Kyesiiga Sub-County, where chaos reportedly broke out at a bar when a group of youths, said to have come from a nearby karaoke event, stormed the premises and disrupted patrons. Witnesses say the situation quickly escalated into a violent confrontation, triggering panic among those present.
During the disturbance, the Officer in Charge of security in the area, identified as Willy Ogwal, allegedly discharged his firearm in an attempt to restore order. He is said to have fired several rounds, claiming he aimed into the air to disperse the unruly crowd that had turned hostile.
However, stray bullets reportedly struck and killed a toddler, identified as Ashiraf Mbazira, on the spot. His mother, Aisha Kisakyamukama, and another resident known as Gerald Kiweewa, also called Bamu, were injured in the shooting and are currently receiving treatment.
Local leaders, including the Kyesiiga Sub-County Chairperson, Mikidadi Lusiiba, described the incident as shocking. He said the matter was immediately escalated to senior police authorities after the shooting. He also relayed Ogwal’s account, in which the officer claimed he intervened to stop a suspected phone theft suspect from being lynched by an angry mob.
Lusiiba further urged bar operators in the area to tighten security measures, warning that failure to control crowds and ensure safety could lead to further tragedies. He emphasized the need for licensed security personnel, either from private firms or state agencies, to manage such gatherings.
“Ill-protected entertainment places risk becoming flashpoints for violence. Owners must ensure proper security to avoid similar incidents,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, Ogwal has been arrested and is being held as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
While the officer maintains that he was responding to a mob justice situation, some residents have given a different version of events, alleging that the confrontation may have stemmed from a personal dispute involving a woman who was present at the bar at the time.
Efforts to obtain an official comment from the Southern Region Police spokesperson, Mr Twaha Kasirye, were unsuccessful as his known contacts were unreachable at the time of filing this report.
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