Police in Kassanda District are investigating a fatal shooting in which a 28-year-old man, Ezedi Murundi, was shot dead by a private security guard at a gold mining site in Kitumbi Subcounty.
The incident occurred in the early hours of March 17, 2026, at Kayonza Gold Ore Mine, when security personnel reportedly confronted a group of individuals suspected of attempting to steal gold ore.
According to Lameck Kigozi, the guard involved has been identified as Otubo Simon Peter, an employee of Eagle Eye Security Agency. Police say the guard discharged a firearm while responding to the suspected theft attempt.
Preliminary reports indicate that a group of intruders entered the mining area at night intending to steal gold ore. When intercepted by security, the suspects fled, during which the guard fired his weapon.
The bullet struck Murundi in the back, killing him on the spot.
“The guards confronted a group of suspected intruders who had entered the mining area. As the suspects attempted to flee, one of the guards discharged a firearm and the bullet struck one of them, resulting in his death,” Kigozi explained.
Murundi, a resident of Namulanda Trading Centre, was transported to Kassanda Health Centre IV for a postmortem examination. The security guard involved has been taken into custody to assist with ongoing investigations.
Police have cautioned residents living near mining areas to avoid trespassing, particularly at night, due to the heavy security measures in place.
“We appeal to members of the public not to be tempted to trespass into gold mining areas at odd hours because these sites are heavily guarded, and such actions can put lives at risk,” Kigozi said.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting and whether the use of lethal force was justified.
