WAKISO: Uganda’s Military is investigating circumstances under which a soldier reportedly attempted suicide in Namugongo, Wakiso District; a situation that left four other soldiers injured.
The incident occurred on Friday night.
Residents of Namugongo where the Martyrs’ Day celebrations will be held reported heavy gunfire in the area.
UPDF spokesman, Brig Richard Karemire, said Corporal Joram Tumwesigye, at a camping site away from the Namugongo shrines, went on a shooting spree and injured his colleagues under unclear circumstances. The injured were rushed to hospital in critical condition.
“True our soldier shot four of his colleagues and was arrested immediately. The four soldiers were taken to hospital and are out of danger,” Brig Karemire said.
Earlier reports had indicated that the soldier had shot at pilgrims and killed five of them but Brig Karemire dismissed the claims insisting that no pilgrim was killed or injured.
“I want to clarify that no pilgrim was killed or injured but it was only our officers. We are investigating the case to find out why he shot them,” Brig Karemire added.
Earlier in the day Fr Alex Oketch in charge of communications for the Martyrs Day commemoration, also said no pilgrim had been killed.
This comes just hours before thousands of pilgrims gathered at Namugongo commemorate Uganda’s Martyrs Day.
