In a tragic turn of events, a woman lost her life under mysterious circumstances as a vehicle attempted to breach security at the State Lodge in Nakasero, prompting investigations by both the Police and the Special Forces Command.
According to sources, the incident unfolded when a vehicle, driven by Shafic Bwanika, alias Shafic Mayanja, recklessly approached one of the entrances to the State Lodge.
“Warnings by the officers at the checkpoint were ignored as the vehicle continued to speed towards them. They shot at the vehicle and unfortunately injured a female occupant,” a source familiar with the matter said.
The genesis of the incident traces back several months when 23-year-old Mercy Evelyn Aketch Adiko was allegedly approached by Bwanika, who purported to be a State House employee offering assistance in securing a job opportunity in Canada.
Adiko reportedly handed over a substantial sum of money, totaling shs10 million, with the promise of facilitating her employment abroad. However, when nothing materialized, she demanded a refund, only to be asked for an additional shs5 million to purportedly secure her travel.
Suspecting foul play, Adiko reported the matter to the authorities, leading to a trap being set to apprehend Bwanika.
On the day of the incident, Bwanika allegedly coerced Adiko into accompanying him to Nakasero State Lodge to purportedly verify his employment claims. However, their journey was intercepted by law enforcement officers who had been tailing them.
In the ensuing chaos, shots were fired at the vehicle, resulting in Adiko sustaining fatal injuries, while Bwanika was apprehended attempting to flee the scene. Despite efforts to save her life, Adiko succumbed to her injuries, plunging her family and the community into mourning.
“On realizing he was being followed, he panicked and tried to drive through the checkpoint and that is how everything unfolded,” another source confirmed.
Confirming the incident, the Special Forces Command public information officer, Maj Jimmy Omara, acknowledged that investigations are underway to unravel the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
“There was an attempted breach of security on one of our gates by unidentified car that wanted to forcefully gain access into state lodge Nakasero. Even after warnings were given by security, the car failed to adhere to the protocol given by the guards on duty. The car drove off and the driver in the names of Shafik was arrested by police after trying to flee,” Maj Omara said.
“We have opened investigations into the matter to understand the motive of the suspect. The suspect has been taken into custody by police at CPS Kampala.”
The case of abduction against Bwanika has been officially recorded at the Central Police Station, under SD REF 87/30/4/2024 CRB742/ 2024 and authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and adhere to security protocols.
Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, corroborated the incident’s occurrence but refrained from divulging further details to prevent compromising ongoing investigations. As the investigation unfolds, the quest for justice and closure intensifies, underscoring the need for vigilance and caution in navigating such precarious situations.
