Top cop in Uganda shot dead in attack

UGANDA’S second most prominent policeman was shot and killed in his car yesterday along with two other officers as he left his home in Kampala, police said.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police Andrew Kaweesi served as the force’s spokesman and was one of the country’s most high-profile officers.

“He was shot dead this morning as he was leaving his home coming to work,” Inspector-General Kale Kayihura told reporters.

“Kaweesi had two police officers guarding him who were also killed. The motive is yet to be established,” he added.

In November a top military officer was similarly shot and killed in his car in a Kampala suburb alongside his bodyguard.

Opondo said the perpetrators must have used a “powerful weapon”, given they knew they were attacking armed people.

In the moments after the attack, images on local television showed a large crowd gathered at the scene and a parked Toyota Landcruiser with both doors on the driver’s side open. There was blood spattered on the ground.

The driver appeared to have died while struggling to exit the vehicle while at least one other body was also visible in the backseat.

Kaweesi gained a prominent public profile when, as head of police operations in greater Kampala, he oversaw frequent arrests of Uganda’s main opposition figure, Kizza Besigye. — AFPReuters