Police in Kampala are investigating a Local Defense Unit –LDU officer for shooting dead a student studying at Metropolitan International University in Namungoona.
Ali Matovu, a first-year student with a bachelor’s degree in Education was gunned down near the faculty of education and humanities where he had gone to prepare for a test.
The LDU and military officers who were deployed at the university suspected Matovu had stolen a laptop and was trying to flee with it .
They ordered him to immediately stop and hand over the bag he was carrying a bag on his back to security at the checkpoint but he tried to run away prompting the shooting .
Ahmed Kiwanuka, the guild president Metropolitan International University, says that Matovu met his death around 7:00 am at the University premises next to the faculty of education and humanities.
Kiwanuka, however says that the deceased entered the university laboratory briefly and moved out of the university.
He, however, says that minutes later they heard gunshots all over the campus.
Kiwanuka claims that the LDU and military officers deployed in the university ordered Matovu who was carrying a bag on his back to stop at a security checkpoint but he tried to run away prompting them to arrest him.
Kiwanuka and other students say that Matovu tried to run away for the second prompting one of the LDUs to shoot four bullets, two of which caught him in the chest and head.
Both Police and the army haven’t released a statement regarding the incident.
“I have no information regarding that shooting. Contact the military,” Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson said.
Colonel Deo Akiiki, the Deputy UPDF spokesperson, said that the matter is being handled by police, not the military. “I have no information on that matter so far but Police takes charge of any civil issue,” said Akiiki.
The University Academic Registrar declined to comment on the incident.
