UPDF soldier takes own life after killing lover

A UPDF soldier attached to the Military Police has shot himself dead after shooting and killing his lover.

Corporal Andebo Collins, who is attached to Makindye Military Police, shot and shattered the arm of Atulinda Peroni, a civilian support staff also with the military police, as she boarded a boda boda on Tuesday morning.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire said the two were previously in a relationship and had been residing together in Lusaka Zone, Makindye 1, Makindye Division, before experiencing a separation due to misunderstandings.

“It is alleged that this morning at approximately 07:00 hours, Corporal Andebo Collins, armed with an AK-47 rifle and dressed in civilian attire, confronted Atulinda Peroni as she was boarding a motorcycle (boda boda). He opened fire on her, resulting in her sustaining a shattered arm. Subsequently, Corporal Andebo Collins turned the firearm on himself, resulting in his demise upon arrival at Mulago Hospital’s casualty ward,” he said.

Owoyesigyire said the officers at Katwe Police Station and the Military Police swiftly responded to the scene, managing to rush the victim to Nsambya Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a few minutes ago.

“Her body has been conveyed to City Mortuary Mulago for postmortem examination,” he said.

“The team has since established that the duo had a history of relationship issues spanning approximately five years. Notably, the alleged killer’s firearm was recovered, along with 13 cartridges from the scene. At this juncture, our inquiries are ongoing to comprehensively understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. Statements have been recorded from witnesses to aid in our investigation,” he said.

Domestic violence is the most common type of gender-based violence in Uganda and takes many forms, including femicide or killing of a woman. Recent statistics in Uganda shows that 30% of women or one of every three women is a victim of physical and or sexual domestic violence.