Uganda Police and sister security agencies are conducting an investigation into an incident involving a police officer, PC Justus Matovu (No. 64717), attached to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) VIP Protection Unit (VIPPU) in Goli, West Nile.

Matovu is alleged to have attempted to kill his colleague, PC Isaac Orikiriza (No. 58556), a traffic officer stationed at Kiryandongo Central Police Station, during an altercation at a checkpoint in Karuma.

The events unfolded on August 22, 2024, after PC Matovu had escorted goods from Goli to Kampala. As he made his return journey, he secured a ride in a unit vehicle heading towards West Nile. Upon arrival at the Karuma checkpoint, the convoy of vehicles was flagged down by PC Orikiriza, reportedly acting under the orders of ASP Joshua Rugwiza, the Officer in Charge of Traffic at Kiryandongo, due to concerns of over speeding and failure to stop at an earlier checkpoint.

According to reports, Matovu, who was intoxicated, confronted PC Orikiriza for stopping the vehicles. When informed that the directive came from higher authorities, Matovu returned to the vehicle, retrieved his firearm, and allegedly fired a shot in front of Orikiriza. The shot caused fragments to deflect, injuring Orikiriza on the forehead.

The scene was immediately attended by officers from Karuma, Kiryandongo, CID teams, SOCO, and UPDF personnel. Matovu was subsequently arrested and is now in police custody, facing charges of attempted murder, as documented under SD 04/22/08/2024.

ASP Okidi Morris, the Officer in Charge of Karuma Police Station, confirmed the incident, noting that a cartridge was recovered from the scene as investigations into the matter are ongoing.