A tragic incident unfolded on March 17, 2024, in Namisindwa district, as two police officers on duty shot and killed Ronald Kyatika, a 24-year-old suspect. The officers involved in the shooting have been identified as Elizabeth Watila and Sam Kiprop from Buwabwala Police Station.
According to Julie Namara, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Namisindwa, the incident occurred on Sunday morning when officers Watila and Kiprop, stationed at Buwabwala Police Post, attempted to apprehend Kyatika on undisclosed charges. During the interaction, Kyatika resisted arrest and allegedly threatened the officers with dangerous weapons.
“The two police officers claim that a bullet struck the deceased in the head, resulting in his immediate death during the confrontation they had with him as they were arresting him, and he threatened them with dangerous weapons,” Namara revealed.
Rogers Taitika, the Elgon region police spokesperson, confirmed that Officer Watila has been apprehended and is currently under custody. However, Officer Kiprop remains at large. The police have launched an intensive search operation to bring him to justice.
Taitika appealed to Officer Kiprop to surrender himself to the police, urging him not to worsen the situation and face the consequences of his actions once he is captured.
The shooting incident has left the community in shock and raised questions about police conduct. The Elgon region police have launched an internal investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine if the use of lethal force was justified.