UPDF Officer Guns Down Indian Boss, Shoots Self Dead Over Unsatisfying Allowances

Police in Amolatar district have started investigating the actual cause of double murder where a UPDF officer identified as private James Tolit Opio 38 years shot dead his Indian boss Thirumalesh Itikala 41 years before killing himself.

It's alleged that Tolit was deployed to guard a construction site and opened fire, killing his Indian boss on Friday before he shot himself dead after complaining over little pay, authorities.

Police’s North Kyoga regional public relations officer (PRO) SP Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the shooting incident.

According to SP Okema, Itikala was the site engineer and manager of Royal Velko Joint Venture Ltd and a resident of Mbiko Landing Site in Namasale Town Council, Amolatar District.

 “It’s said that Opio, a soldier attached to Namasale Infantry Detach and deployed at Royal Velko Joint Venture Ltd site, reported back at work on October 1.

After just one day on October 3, he went for a disco in the nearby trading centre and went back to his work place again on October 4, 2024 at around 4am,” SP Okema narrated.

 He added: “Surprisingly on Friday morning, Opio reported for duty complaining to his fellow guards of less allowances paid to him.” Police say that Opio emerged in front of Itikala’s office and shot the Indian in the chest as he (Itikala) was communicating on phone.

“Opio then left through the main gate of the site for about 50 meters and shot himself in the neck and died instantly,” Okema told Monitor in a brief statement on Friday.

Itikala the Indian boss was rushed to Amolatar Health Center IV where health authorities pronounced him dead on arrival.