KAMPALA
A military police officer has committed suicide after shooting and subsequently killing at his wife in Kampala today Tuesday, 20th February, 2024.
The incident of murder and suicide occurred this Tuesday at 7:00am.
“According to preliminary investigations, the incident involved Corporal Andebo Collins, a military police officer attached to Makindye Military Police, and Atulinda Peroni, a civilian support staff also with the military police,” said Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Police.
He said the two individuals were previously in a relationship and had been residing together in Lusaka Zone, Makindye 1, Makindye Division, before experiencing a separation due to misunderstandings.
“It is alleged that this morning at approximately 07:00 hours, Corporal Andebo Collins, armed with an AK-47 rifle and dressed in civilian attire, confronted Atulinda Peroni as she was boarding a motorcycle (boda boda),” said Owoyesigyire.
Owoyesigyire says Andebo opened fire on her, resulting in her sustaining a shattered arm adding that subsequently, Corporal Andebo Collins turned the firearm on himself, resulting in his demise upon arrival at Mulago Hospital’s casualty ward.
“Officers at Katwe Police Station and the Military Police responded to the scene, managing to rush Atulinda to Nsambya Hospital, where she was pronounced dead,” reveals Owoyesigyire.
Cases of soldiers misusing guns have been on the rise in recent years.
In March 2023, a UPDF soldier opened fire at “Naiga” Bar in Boston Village, Salama Parish, Makindye Division, killing four people including a man he suspected of being in an affair with his girlfriend known as Anita Namakula.
In the 2021 Annual Crime Report, the number of processed suicide scenes by the Crime Investigation Department of Uganda Police grew to 615.
In the same report, the Uganda Police National Emergency Call Center received 374 calls reporting cases linked to suicide, attempted suicide murder, infanticide, poisoning, attempted infanticide, etc. Of the 374 reported cases, police responded to 332.
Owoyesigyire said Atulinda’s body was conveyed to City Mortuary Mulago for postmortem examination.
Police has since established that the duo had a history of relationship issues spanning approximately five years. Notably, the alleged killer firearm was recovered, along with 13 cartridges from the scene.
“At this juncture, our inquiries are ongoing to comprehensively understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. Statements have been recorded from witnesses to aid in our investigation,” said Owoyesigyire.
