GOMBA DISTRICT – Three police officers have been detained as investigations continue into the fatal shooting of a machine operator during a joint enforcement operation at a coffee processing factory in Kanoni Town Council, Gomba District.
The deceased, identified as Katerega Musa, an employee of Abbarci Industries Ltd, was shot dead on July 1, 2026, at around 4:00 p.m. during an inspection carried out by officials from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), police officers and other armed security personnel.
According to Katonga Regional Police spokesperson SP Lydia Tumushabe, the inspection team had visited the factory to conduct a compliance and enforcement exercise. The operation was reportedly led by a UCDA official identified as Mathias, who was known to the Acting Factory Manager and Accountant, Nalubega Zalika.
Uganda has stepped up enforcement within the coffee sector in recent months as authorities seek to curb illegal coffee processing, the trade in immature coffee and other practices that they say undermine the country’s coffee quality and export reputation. Consequently, joint inspections involving UCDA and security agencies have become more frequent across coffee-growing districts.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that a disagreement broke out during the operation and escalated into a scuffle shortly before the fatal shooting. Investigators have since obtained video footage believed to show events leading up to the incident.
Authorities are now working to establish how the firearm was discharged, who fired the fatal shot and whether officers adhered to the rules governing the use of firearms during enforcement operations.
As part of the investigations, three police officers attached to Butambala Police Station have been arrested to assist detectives. They have been identified as Police Constable Mujuni Nicholas, Police Constable Welikhe Dan Alex, and Corporal Foste Bosco.
The officers remain in police custody and are expected to appear before court once investigations are complete.
“We remain committed to conducting thorough, impartial and professional investigations to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and to ensure that all those found culpable are brought to justice,” SP Tumushabe said.
The shooting has sparked concern among residents and workers in Gomba District, with many calling for greater accountability and stricter oversight of armed enforcement operations involving civilians.
Police have not yet disclosed whether the firearm believed to have been used has been recovered for forensic examination or whether additional suspects could be arrested as investigations progress.
