Shops closed due to tear gas in Lira City after security guard shoots businessman

Police fired tear gas in the town of Lira on Tuesday to disperse hundreds of angry people who tried to loot shops and supermarkets belonging to the Indian community.

The incident stemmed from the killing of a local businessman identified as Dickens Odongo, a resident of Baronger Cell, Railways Ward, Lira City East Division in Lira City.

The victim was allegedly shot dead by a security guard at Navroz Supermarket, owned by an Indian national, on Allwall Road.
Like dozens of other Indian-run businesses along Allwall Road and surrounding areas, the Navroz supermarket was closed when the crowd rioted, despite a heavy police presence at the scene of the shooting.

Witnesses told this publication that Odongo jumped off his motorcycle outside the supermarket at about 9:30am before one of the guards, identified as Mr Moses Opio, raised a gun and opened fire on him without any warning.

Mr. Lucky Junior Akaka, a businessman who runs a shop opposite the supermarket, said they were surprised that the guard shot Odongo without warning.

“A group of boda boda operators were gathering at their stage outside the supermarket when suddenly I heard gunshots and when I rushed to the scene I saw Odongo lying in a pool of blood, dead,” Mr Akaka told the Monitor. scene.

According to him, Opio fled the scene with his gun after the incident.

Mr Juma Overa, chairman of the Lira City West Boda boda association, said: “Of course there were some arguments during the meeting but we did not discuss anything related to the supermarket. We were only surprised when the security guard took his gun and shot Odongo dead before fleeing the scene.”

Mr. Patrick Jimmy Okema, spokesman for the North Kyoga Regional Police, said an investigation has been launched into the shooting, which he described as an accident.

“Depositions of relatives and other relevant witnesses have been received. The pistol allegedly used has been recovered and registered in Police Book 19. The body of the deceased has been collected and taken to the Lira Regional Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem,” he said.

Mr Okema said the suspect is in custody at Lira Central Police Station.

“Motives for the shooting have not yet been established,” he added.