Suspected Motorcycle Thief Shot Dead While Allegedly Attempting to Escape Arrest in Kisoro

KISORO, Uganda — A 26-year-old suspected motorcycle thief has been shot dead in Kisoro District after he allegedly attempted to flee from security officers.

The deceased has been identified as Hassan Mwijuke, a resident of Gapfurizo Village in Nyarubuye Sub-county. Mwijuke was reportedly suspected of stealing a motorcycle from neighbouring Kanungu District and had been in hiding prior to the incident.

According to eyewitness accounts, the shooting occurred near Gasave Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church. Pastor Evalyst, who was at the church at the time, said he heard a gunshot before noticing armed individuals running away from the scene.

“When I heard the gunshot, I later saw armed men running from the area. When I went to check what had happened, I found a man lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head,” the pastor said.

Residents in the area also reported hearing a gunshot before seeing a vehicle carrying armed men leaving the scene. Shortly afterward, they discovered Mwijuke’s body lying in the middle of the road, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers.

Local residents later alerted police in Kisoro, who responded to the scene and transported the body to Kisoro Hospital mortuary. The body is currently awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Authorities had not yet issued an official statement regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting by the time of filing this report.