Prime
One killed as residents clash over Boda boda accident victim
PALLISA-One person has been confirmed dead while two others sustained serious wounds after police fired live bullets to quell residents who were protesting the death of a one Otuket, a 70-year-old man.
Otuket was knocked dead by a Boda boda rider on Monday, at Ometai Trading Centre, in Pallisa District.
The Boda boda rider only Identified as Mr Okwachi sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Pallisa Hospital.
Otuket’s relatives camped at the hospital to demand the release of his body from the mortuary.
They also demanded that Mr Okwachi, the Boda boda rider, should meet the burial expenses.
However, negotiations between relatives of the dead man and the Boda boda rider failed.
Otuket’s relatives carried his body to the home of the Boda boda rider with the intention of burying it in his compound.
Pallisa District Chairman, Mr John Micheal Okurut said one person was killed and two seriously injured during a fierce scuffle between police officers and the warring groups.
“The police in efforts to quell the situation, fired live bullets that left one person dead and two injured. This was quite unfortunate and regrettable,” Mr Okurut said.
Bukedi Regional Police Commander, Mr Pisse Pusingwire said Otukei’s relatives demanded Shs15 million as burial expenses yet the relatives of the Boda boda rider pledged to contribute Shs3 million which sparked a fight.
Mr Kyeyune Ssenyonjo, the Pallisa Resident District Commissioner, said relatives of Ometai speculated that he was intentionally knocked dead following previously tensions between residents of Pallisa and Ngora districts over fishing.
