A dispute over an unpaid chapati worth Shs 500 has tragically escalated into a fatal police shooting in Bugiri District, raising fresh concerns about conflict resolution and the use of force during arrests.
The incident stems from an earlier altercation involving Nasiru Mugoya, who allegedly consumed a chapati at a local restaurant but failed to settle the bill. According to family members, the minor disagreement quickly escalated into a physical confrontation between Mugoya and the restaurant operator.
The matter was later reported to the Local Council One (LCI), where it is said to have been handled. However, the complainant, reportedly dissatisfied with the outcome, escalated the case to Buwunga Police Station.
In the early hours of the following morning, at approximately 4:40 a.m., police officers led by the Officer-in-Charge of Buwunga Police Station, ASP Innocent Wagaba, alongside Cpl Stephen Okwalinga, proceeded to arrest the suspect at his residence.
According to Bashir Magemeso, the suspect’s father, the situation turned chaotic upon the officers’ arrival.
He alleges that Nasiru Mugoya raised an alarm that attracted relatives and community members, some of whom reportedly arrived armed with pangas and machetes in an attempt to resist the arrest.
“The officers were confronted by a group of people who appeared hostile and armed. In the process, gunshots were fired, resulting in the death of Alamanzani Mugoya, one of Nasiru’s brothers,” Magemeso said. He added that he sustained injuries during the scuffle.
Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha confirmed the incident, stating that the primary suspect, Nasiru Mugoya, is currently in police custody.
He further revealed that the two officers involved in the operation have also been detained to assist with ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The body of the deceased has been transferred to Bugiri Hospital mortuary, where a postmortem examination is expected to be conducted.
Authorities say investigations are underway to establish the exact sequence of events and determine whether the use of lethal force was justified.
The incident has sparked debate within the community, with residents questioning how a minor commercial dispute could spiral into a deadly confrontation—highlighting broader concerns about dispute resolution mechanisms and police handling of volatile situations.
