UPDF soldier who shot dead boda boda rider at Kawanda SS arrested

The Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) has arrested a Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldier, Abdul Ssali after he allegedly shot dead a boda boda rider at the gate of Kawanda secondary school in Wakiso district on Friday in a road rage.

Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson identified the victim as Ronald Waliggo, 38, who was riding a motorcycle registration number, UEG 721C. Upon arrest, Ssali allegedly claimed he shot Waliggo in self-defence because other boda boda riders wanted to lynch him.

According to eyewitnesses, it is alleged that Ssali and Waliggo got into a misunderstanding when Ssali driving a military vehicle, a Land Cruiser reg no. H4DF 1939 was leaving the school premises after picking up his senior three student. Due to the Ebola outbreak, the government ordered schools to close the third term earlier on November 25.

Eyewitnesses say that while leaving the school, Ssali met a number of motorcycles and cars at the gate. The road being narrow prompted him to squeeze into the side where the deceased had parked.

This caused an altercation after Waligo complained to the driver about being squeezed which attracted a big group of riders that also condemned the driver’s actions. Soon after, Ssali entered his vehicle and picked up an AK-47 rifle and shot at Waliggo, killing him instantly. Ssali later sped off from the scene. Owoyesigyire says that they were able to identify the number plate of the vehicle as H4DF 1939 with the help of CCTV cameras.

According to Owoyesigirye, Waligo was shot in the left shoulder and the bullet came out from the right shoulder. He says that the police will liaise with the UPDF to help identify the driver.