UPDF soldier shot dead over Shs2,000 entrance fee

A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier was on Sunday evening shot dead during a local football match in Kyaterekera Town Council, Kagadi District, following a dispute over a Shs2,000 entrance fee.

The Albertine regional police spokesperson, SP Julius Allan Hakiza, confirmed the incident, saying the shooting occurred on February 8, 2026, at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School playground in Kyaterekera Town Council.

The deceased was identified as Akugizibwe Mbaale, 35, a serving UPDF officer who was on leave at the time of the incident.

“It is alleged that the deceased attempted to enter the pitch without permission and struggled with the police officer. The officer opened fire, hitting Akugizibwe Mbaale, who died instantly,” SP Hakiza said.

He added that the suspect later surrendered to police and handed over the firearm. A murder case has been registered at Kagadi Central Police Station under reference number KGD CRB 152/2026.

SP Hakiza said the suspect’s identity has been withheld for security reasons and to protect the officer’s family as investigations continue.

“We urge the public to respect armed personnel to avoid such incidents. We shall update you as investigations unfold,” he said.

According to eyewitnesses, Mbaale was dressed in civilian clothes and had gone to watch a football match between Super Lions FC and Lyanda FC at St Peter’s Catholic Church playground in Kitumba Ward.

Spectators were reportedly required to pay Shs2,000 as an entrance fee. Witnesses said Mbaale had earlier paid and entered the grounds but later stepped out briefly to meet his mother. When he attempted to re-enter, organisers asked him to pay the fee again.

Mbaale allegedly insisted that he had already paid and offered to add only Shs1,000, but the offer was rejected. The disagreement escalated when a police officer attached to Kyaterekera Police Station, who was enforcing the organisers’ directive, ordered Mbaale to leave the playground.

When Mbaale reportedly refused, the organisers temporarily halted the match in an attempt to calm the situation.

An eyewitness, Mr Semei Kato, said the police officer slapped Mbaale without first making inquiries, triggering a physical confrontation.

“Mbaale was dressed in casual wear, and I think the officer slapped him not knowing he was a fellow security officer. After the slap, Mbaale became angry and attacked the officer, who then fired, ending his life,” Mr Kato said.

The LCIII chairperson of Kyaterekera Town Council, Mr Yosam Musisi, condemned the incident, describing it as violent and unprofessional.

“As a trained security officer, he should have sought assistance from fellow officers and effected an arrest instead of resorting to lethal force,” Mr Musisi said.

He confirmed that the deceased was a UPDF soldier who was on leave and noted that a security meeting would be convened to address what he described as rising cases of gun misuse in the area.

By press time, Mbaale’s body was lying at Kagadi General Hospital mortuary, awaiting a postmortem examination as investigations continue.