A police officer in charge of the Rwerere police post in Rukungiri district has been detained for shooting dead a UPDF veteran.

Sgt. Isidore Kabeirero shot Robert Manzi, aged 44, a resident of Rubambura village, on Saturday night after he threatened to kill his mother, Annet Kembabazi, and his wife, Christine Ngabirano, using a panga.

Kembabazi alerted the police for help, and according to Kigezi Region police spokesperson Elly Maate, when the police arrived, Manzi attempted to hack the police officers as well, and in the process, he was shot.

“As police reached there trying to arrest him, he raised the same panga trying to cut one of them, and in the move to rescue the police officer, the other one shot him, unfortunately, hitting him directly, and he died moments later,” said Maate.

According to Maate, an AK-47 rifle with the serial number UG POL 56131005438-1845 and 18 rounds of ammunition have been recovered by the police, while Kabeireho is being held at Rukungiri police station to aid in investigations.

The body of the deceased was taken to Rwakabengo health center mortuary for a postmortem.