Police on Monday said the Joint security agencies are still searching for a UPDF officer who shot a traffic officer on duty to the thigh and injured him.
The traffic officer identified as Police Constable Mukebezi Robert who was on duty at Kira road division, had responded to a traffic incident involving a military vehicle Prado TX registration number H4DF 1391 that veered off the road and rammed into a sign post, when a UPDF officer shot at him and left him with seriously injuries.
Police said, during the process of transferring the accident motor vehicle to the police for further inspection, a military response team also approached the scene in another vehicle, under registration number, H4DF 922, that was commanded by Major Okua Alpha.
“Unfortunately, one of his officers, identified as Corporal Babangida Bashir Mango, drew out his gun then shot and injured the traffic officer. The suspect eventually abandoned his gun at Bukasa village and is on the run.” Police Spokesman Fred Enanga said.
Following the accident and the intervention of traffic police, eyewitnesses say that Robert Mukebezi was seated on the passenger side of the breakdown truck when soldiers emerged from a double cabin and started shooting. One of the soldiers shot in the air before spraying the breakdown truck with bullets and injuring Constable Mukebezi in the legs.
It is alleged that the soldiers then dragged the bleeding officer out of the vehicle left him on the ground before ordering the driver of the breakdown to tow the wreckage to Mbuya. Mukebezi was later picked by fellow police officers and rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital in critical condition.
In a press statement, Enanga said Cpl Bababgida is wanted on charges of attempted murder and obstruction of an officer on lawful duty.
“We are jointly searching for him with the military police and CMI. We do strongly condemn such acts of impunity and abuse of authority, because there was no justification at all for the use of a firearm. We wish to remind all security officers that our strength and integrity is derived from our degree of individual excellence.” Enanga adds.
Souces indicate that the traffic officer suffered several injuries on the legs and x-ray images from the victim show broken bones in both legs.
The victim, according to police, has since been transferred to Victoria hospital for better treatment.
