The Uganda Police Force is investigating the fatal shooting of a man in Bukwo District after officers responding to an arrest operation allegedly came under attack.
The incident occurred at about 1pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026, in Chemusebe Village, Kapchemoken Parish, Brim Sub-county.
According to preliminary police findings, officers from Giriki Police Station in neighbouring Kween District travelled to Bukwo to arrest a suspect. They coordinated with officers from Riwo Sub-county Police Station and an officer familiar with the area before proceeding to Brim.
At Chemusebe Trading Centre, the officers reportedly found the suspect washing a motorcycle near a stream. Police said the suspect abandoned the motorcycle and fled after seeing the officers, prompting them to impound the motorcycle.
As the officers engaged local leaders and relatives who were claiming the motorcycle, a man identified as Mutakan allegedly approached them armed with a panga and stones.
Police allege that Mutakan 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.
Officers reportedly fired warning shots in an attempt to stop the alleged attack. Police said Mutakan continued advancing and was subsequently shot.
He was rushed to Bukwo General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Four questioned
Police said four people, including the officers involved in the operation, are currently being questioned as investigations continue.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether the firearms were discharged lawfully and whether the force used was necessary and proportionate.
The Police Force said it was cautioning the public against attacking, threatening or attempting to disarm armed officers conducting lawful operations.
“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,” police said.
The Force cited previous incidents in which officers were killed after police operations escalated into confrontations with members of the public.
In April 2025, Police Constable Suleiman Chemonges was killed by a mob while providing security at a burial in Ibanda District.
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. A civilian was fatally injured during the ensuing struggle, after which the officers were attacked by a mob. Naturinda was killed and his two colleagues injured.
Police have urged members of the public to remain calm during police operations, comply with lawful instructions and use established legal and administrative channels to challenge police conduct.
The Force also reiterated that allegations of unlawful conduct by police officers should be investigated through the appropriate mechanisms.
The Bukwo investigation will therefore determine not only what led to the confrontation but also whether the officers’ use of firearms met the legal requirements governing the use of force.
