Security Guard Found Dead, Police Investigate Possible Suicide

Police in Masaka have launched an investigation into the death of a security guard attached to Corporal Security Services, who reportedly shot himself earlier today.

The deceased, Joseph Nasasiira, a 27-year-old from Kitanga village in Rukiga District, is said to have taken his life around 10:00 AM at Masaka Recreation Ground, where he had been deployed.

His body was discovered inside his room near the stadium’s entrance, lying in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Security operatives swiftly responded to the scene following reports of the shooting. Eyewitnesses said the sound of gunfire caused panic in the area.

“I was passing near the stadium from Kimanya when I heard a loud burst. At first, I thought it was a motorcycle tire, but about 20 minutes later, I saw a police patrol enter the stadium, and that’s when I realised someone had shot himself,” said Muhammad Yiga, a resident of Masaka.

While the exact reason behind Nasasiira’s actions remains unclear, some residents suspect he was struggling with frustration and financial hardship. They allege that security guards deployed at the stadium were also engaged in construction work without additional pay.

“This is not the first time we are witnessing such incidents in our community. Security guards go through a lot, working under tough conditions with little or no pay,” Yiga added.

“We have seen these guards doing extra work, like fetching water and carrying cement bags. It is likely they were not compensated for this, and they may not have received their salaries as guards either,” said Sulaiman, another resident.

Speaking to Nile Post over the phone, Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed the incident, stating that investigations were underway to determine what led to Nasasiira’s death.

“We are still gathering information to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. His body has been taken to Masaka Hospital for a postmortem examination, and the firearm has been sent for ballistic analysis. We strongly condemn such acts,” Kasirye said.

In the wake of the incident, concerned residents have called on the government to abolish private security companies and entrust all security-related jobs to the Uganda Police Force.

They argue that this would improve working conditions and reduce suicide cases among security guards.

“Some of these guards lack experience, and when they are given guns, they resort to taking their own lives. This is not the first such case in our area—a security guard at Kampala University also died by suicide recently,” Yiga noted.

Residents have also urged private security firms to improve wages and address employees’ grievances before situations escalate.

“This should be a wake-up call for authorities. Security guards are human too, and they deserve better working conditions,” one resident remarked.

Police have assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted, with a detailed report on the findings to follow.