KAMPALA / WAKISO — For the second time in under a month, a lethal gunshot from an official service weapon has echoed within the ranks of the Uganda Police Force (UPF), highlighting systemic strain and mental health oversight gaps within security deployments across the metropolitan region.
Police Constable (PC) Allan Akandinda, 25, an officer attached to the Counter-Terrorism (CT) unit, died on Sunday, October 11, after turning his firearm on himself inside a guard facility at Afford Agencies Limited in Namanve Industrial Park, Wakiso District.
The tragic incident comes just four weeks after Probation Police Constable (PPC) Saul Ayijuka shot himself dead on September 13 in the wake of the Freedom City shooting in Kampala, signaling an alarming pattern of unaddressed distress among frontline officers.
Reconstruction of Events Leading to the Incident
According to preliminary investigative accounts and witness statements obtained by police investigators, the timeline of events preceding the fatal shooting reveals a sharp escalation:
Altercation at Mbuya-Kinawataka Bar
Saturday, Oct 10
PC Akandinda was at Gayitano Bar in Mbuya-Kinawataka, where he reportedly engaged in a dispute with a woman over payment following a sexual encounter. Following an intervention by the bar manager, Akandinda was arrested and held overnight at an undisclosed police station.
Late Arrival at Namanve Guard Post
Sunday, Oct 11 — 10:15 AM
Following his release or departure from custody, PC Akandinda reported late for duty at Afford Agencies Limited in the Namanve Industrial Park.
Confrontation with Unit Commander
Sunday, Oct 11 — Midday
ASP Steven Komakech, the Counter-Terrorism commander for Namanve, questioned PC Akandinda regarding his late arrival and conduct. According to colleague PC Ajuna Onan Kabura, Akandinda responded dismissively before withdrawing into a duty room.
Fatal Gunshot & Discovery
Sunday, Oct 11 — Approx. 1:00 PM
A single gunshot was heard from inside the locked guard room. Responding officers breached the room and located PC Akandinda deceased on a mattress.
Key Questions for Institutional Accountability
While the Uganda Police Force has opened standard investigative proceedings and transferred PC Akandinda’s body for postmortem analysis, watchdog analysis of the official account highlights critical systemic issues:
Detention and Release Oversight: How was an armed officer detained at an undisclosed station overnight and subsequently released to resume high-security duty without psychological assessment or command intervention?
Mental Health & Stress Protocols: With two officers committing suicide while on duty in the Kampala Metropolitan area within a 28-day window, questions remain regarding the operational effectiveness of peer-support systems and debriefing mechanisms in elite units like Counter-Terrorism.
Firearm Custody Practices: Standard operating procedures regarding weapon retention following off-duty disciplinary incidents remain under scrutiny.
Police spokespersons have confirmed that investigations into the full circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing.
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