A police officer has been arrested after firing a gunshot into the air during a violent altercation at a bar in Kamwani Zone, Nsamya Parish, Makindye Division, Kampala. The incident, which occurred at approximately 5:00 AM on December 22, 2025, has raised serious concerns about police conduct and public safety in the area.
It all started when Corporal Nyangasi, a member of the VIPPU unit, became involved in a heated argument with some customers at a bar located opposite Canine Head Offices. The disagreement quickly escalated into a physical fight, prompting Corporal Nyangasi to leave the scene and head to his barracks. There, he retrieved his SAR 15T rifle and returned to the bar, where he fired one shot into the air.
The gunshot sent the customers fleeing in panic, creating chaos at the bar. Fortunately, two officers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Corporals Odokonyero and Oluka, were nearby and intervened immediately. They managed to disarm Corporal Nyangasi and took him into custody before escorting him to the Kabalagala Police Station for further processing.
Upon investigation, police found that the SAR 15T rifle had a magazine containing 28 rounds of ammunition, with one round missing after the shot was fired. The weapon was seized as evidence, and a case of threatening violence was opened under SD REF 11/22/12/2025. Statements were recorded from the complainant, Bebiye Sarah, a 42-year-old businesswoman, and Corporal Odokonyero, one of the officers involved in the arrest.
As the investigation continues, police are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident, which has shocked local residents and raised concerns about the potential misuse of firearms by law enforcement officers. This alarming event serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater accountability within the police force, particularly when it comes to the use of weapons in public settings.
