Police have shot an 18 year old resident of Kalimu cell, in southern division, in Jinja city during an operation to curb illegal power connections.
Bob Baturambire was reportedly shot at on Saturday and got injured in the abdomen. The injured boy is currently receiving medical care at Jinja regional referral hospital’s emergency ward.
It is reported that a team of six UMEME officials using a Toyota double cabin vehicle with registration number UBG 987W rounded off parts of Kalimu cell, with an aim of uprooting underground wires reportedly connected illegally.
The residents, however, resisted the move, arguing that such operations should be held in conjunction with their area leaders. The situation turned tense after the UMEME officials and area residents engaged in physical fights.
This prompted intervention from FFU personnel, who were focusing on rescuing the UMEME personnel. However, a group of residents retaliated by pelting them with stones.
The FFU personnel further released live ammunition in the air with the aim of quelling the situation, but the crowds moved closer, and Baturambire was reportedly shot at during the scuffle.
The Kiira regional police commander, Rodgers Sseguya says that the victim was hit by a stray bullet, as he teamed up with other youths, who rounded off one of the FFU constables, with an aim of grabbing the gun from him.
Sseguya, however, says that detectives have been dispatched to extensively investigate the matter, and a conclusive report shall be availed to the press.
However, the victim’s family members led by Teopista Auma, who was present at the crime scene says that her brother was not part of the rowdy youths and was shot while inside his kiosk outside their home.