Trigger happy UPDF soldier shoots civilian dead for walking at night

The police in Kisoro have arrested a UPDF soldier identified as Private Amis Walimbwa from the Kibaya army detach in Nyarubuye sub-county, for allegedly shooting dead a civilian and injuring his colleague in a bar brawl.

The deceased has been identified as Zepherene Nizeyimana, a 20-year-old resident of Kirwa village, Karambi parish Nyarubuye sub-county, while the injured soldier is private Achia William, 40.  

According to an eyewitness, the incident occurred around 11:30 PM on Thursday night when Walimba and Achia were drinking at Friends Pub-Pool table and lodge in Rukundo Trading centre.

The duo allegedly saw Nizeyimana walking along the road and ordered him to come to the pub and give them Shillings 20,000 as a punishment for walking at night.

However, Nizeymana did not have the money and chose to plead for his life. This prompted the trigger happy Walimbwa to cock his gun and shoot him.

He died instantly.

The witness says that Walimbwa also shot Achia in the leg as he tried to stop him from shooting Nizeyimana.

The Kigezi region police spokesperson Elly Maate says Walimbwa is locked up at the army detachment while Achia is admitted to St. Francis Mutorere hospital investigations continue. 

He adds that they are yet to establish the cause of the shooting and have opened inquiries at Kisoro Central Police station.