Police in Fort Portal are investigating circumstances under which a trader was shot during a scuffle in Kabundaire market on Wednesday.
Rwenzori West Police Spokesperson Vincent Twesige says that the police were called by the chairperson of Kabundaire market to deal with a trader identified as Patrick Kwikiriza who was threatening to cut others with a panga. He explains that when police arrived at the scene, they were confronted by the same trader who eventually injured one of them identified as Gordon Mwebesa.
Twesige says that in the process Mwebesa released two bullets one of which hit another trader identified later as Edward Junior. He was rushed to Fort Portal Regional Referral hospital for treatment but later succumbed to the injuries.
Twesige says that although police are carrying out investigations, the policeman who shot Edward could have been defending himself from the attacker who had turned violent.
Kwikiriza was later arrested and detained at Fort Portal Central Police station. Twesige says he will be charged with attempted murder.
Obed Kanyankole a trader in the market who witnessed the genesis of the events told us that in the morning, Kwikiriza bought a panga and started warning his fellow traders that he was going to kill someone because he suspected that some traders were stealing his merchandise.
Kanyakole said that Kwikiriza accused him of conniving with his neighbour to steal from him.
Kanyunuzi Abwoli Another trader says that the policeman had aimed at Kwikiriza but the bullet instead hit Edward.
