Prominent bar owner dies while fleeing curfew enforcement team in Ssembabule

The Police in Sembabule district has commenced investigating an incident in which Didas Mayinja Sseruyange a prominent bar owner whom they were chasing fell down and died.

Sseruyange, the proprietor of Mayinja Pub, in Kawanga trading center, Mabindo sub-county was being chased by officers who were enforcing the COVID-19 directives when he tripped, fell, and died.

The incident happened on Thursday night at around 9.00 pm.

This came after a security meeting at Mabindo Sub-county headquarters, in which several bars in Kulla, Misenyi, Kawanga, and Kikoma villages were identified for defying the directives.  

Mayinja’s bar is said to have allegedly defied the directives since 2020 and has been operating openly without any hindrance by the local authorities including police.   

Residents, police, and other local leaders would fear interfering with the business since it is the spot where prominent politicians hang out. However, to enforce the directives, John Mwesigwa, the Mabindo Sub-county Chairperson, and the security committee organized a night operation to arrest customers and bar owners who defied the curfew directive.

But, when a patrol pickup reached Mayinja pub, all the occupants including Sseruyange scattered. During that panicky moment, Sseruyange tripped and fell to the ground.  

After calm was restored, his colleagues returned to check on him and found him unconscious and he died a few minutes later.
His body was taken to his home in Kikoma village and the family members were allowed to proceed with the burial arrangements.   

The Southern Regional Spokesperson Muhammad Nsubuga, says they are investigating the incident.