KAGADI, Uganda — A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier on leave was shot dead during a local football match in Kyaterekera Town Council, Kagadi District, following a dispute over a Shs2,000 match entrance fee, police have confirmed.
The deceased has been identified as Akugizibwe Mbaale, 35, a UPDF officer who was attending the game at St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School playground on Sunday evening.
Albertine regional police spokesperson SP Julius Allan Hakiza said the incident took place on February 8, 2026 and was triggered by a disagreement when Mbaale tried to re-enter the match after briefly leaving to see his mother.
“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,” Hakiza told journalists.
According to eyewitnesses, spectators were charged a Shs2,000 admission fee, which Mbaale had paid earlier. After leaving to meet his mother, he was asked to pay again upon return. He reportedly insisted he had paid, offering to add only Shs1,000, but organisers refused.
The situation escalated when a police officer attached to Kyaterekera Police Station, who was enforcing the organisers’ directive, ordered Mbaale to leave the pitch. Organisers briefly paused the match in an attempt to calm the situation.
An eyewitness, Mr Semei Kato, said the officer appeared to slap Mbaale during the confrontation, not realising he was a fellow security officer, prompting a physical altercation that ended when the officer fired a shot.
“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,” Kato said.
The suspect later surrendered himself to police and handed over his firearm, and a murder case has been opened at Kagadi Central Police Station under file reference KGD CRB 152/2026, SP Hakiza added.
Hakiza urged the public to respect armed personnel to avoid similar incidents and said investigations will continue.
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Local leaders also condemned the shooting. Yosam Musisi, LCIII Chairperson of Kyaterekera Town Council, described the confrontation 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,” Musisi said.
Mbaale’s body remains at Kagadi General Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
Incidents involving security personnel and firearm misuse have periodically drawn public attention in Uganda, prompting calls for tighter discipline and oversight within the security services.
Past cases have included service members involved in shootings in both domestic and duty-related settings, reflecting broader concerns about enforcement conduct and rules of engagement.
