The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have Saturday cleared the air on media reports claiming that a ‘soldier’ identified as Daniel Ogwang was shot dead in the early morning hours of Friday at a petrol station in Mbuya.
Daniel Ogwang regularly played basketball with the UPDF soldiers in Bombo.
It is reported that the deceased went to Oil Libya Petrol station to refuel his motorcycle but as he waited, the attendant worked on another person who drove to the fuel station moments later.
An argument reportedly ensued between a furious Ogwang and the attendant demanding to know why he (Ogwang) who had come earlier had not been served. It took the intervention of the security guard at the station to calm the situation and in the process, Ogwang was shot dead by the guard.
Lt. Col Deo Akiiki, the deputy UPDF spokesperson has in a statement said that the deceased is not a soldier as reported in several media reports but he has been practising with the UPDF basketball team in Bombo.
“UPDF would like to clarify that the person who was shot dead by a private security guard at Oil Libya Petrol Station along Port Bell road is not a UPDF soldier.
However, Late Daniel Ogwang had on many occasions been practising his Basket Ball skills with the UPDF team based in Bombo,” Lt Col Akiiki explained.
“The UPDF Sports fraternity is aggrieved by this unfortunate loss of such a young talent and grieves with his family at such a loss. It is saddening at how his future has been cut short in a senseless shooting,” he added.
He further said that Police is investigating the matter and the killer will certainly be brought to face justice for his brutal action and that UPDF will assist the bereaved family in burial arrangements.