The police on Wednesday morning shot dead a suspected robber who was found hiding in the ceiling of a shop in Njerere village, Mukono Municipality.
The deceased, identified as Andrew Ssemanda, is believed to have been part of a group that broke into the shop by climbing onto the roof, cutting through an iron sheet and packing merchandise into sacks.
According to preliminary accounts, a tenant in nearby houses heard suspicious activity and alerted neighbours, who quickly gathered at the scene. Ssemanda reportedly became trapped inside the shop as his accomplices fled when the crowd grew.
Raymond Tushabe, the shop owner, said the suspect attempted to escape through the ceiling but found the premises surrounded. Police were later alerted and responded.
“When police arrived, they asked the suspect to come down from the ceiling, but he refused. He later emerged armed with a panga and advanced toward one of the officers, prompting police to shoot him,” Tushabe said.
Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson Rachael Kawala confirmed the incident, saying the suspect was shot in self-defence. She added that the body was taken to the mortuary and investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend his accomplices.
Johnson Wabuya, a member of the Njerere Village Local Council, said the incident has shocked residents, noting that Ssemanda was known in the area as a welder.
“This young man appeared to be earning a living from welding. It is shocking that he has been killed in a robbery. Young people should learn to be content with what they have,” Wabuya said.
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