A tragedy has unfolded in Lusaka, Makindye Division Kampala district when Corporal Collins Andebo, a UPDF soldier attached to the Military Police and notably the bodyguard of Hon. Ronald Kibuule, shot and fatally injured his estranged wife, Peroni Atulinda, before taking his own life on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:00am when Cpl Andebo, armed with an AK-47 rifle and dressed in civilian attire, left his post guarding Honorable Kibuule to confront Atulinda as she was boarding a motorcycle.
In a fit of rage, he opened fire, resulting in Atulinda sustaining severe injuries to both arms. Despite immediate response from law enforcement, Corporal Andebo succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound upon arrival at Mulago Hospital’s casualty ward.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the territorial police in Katwe revealed a history of marital misunderstandings between the couple, leading to their separation. The couple had been living together in Lusaka Zone, Makindye 1, before the relationship took a tragic turn.
The authorities swiftly responded to the scene, rushing Atulinda to Nsambya Hospital, where she was unfortunately pronounced dead. Her body has been conveyed to City Mortuary Mulago for a postmortem examination.
Witnesses have been cooperating with investigators, providing crucial statements to aid in understanding the circumstances surrounding this heart-wrenching event.
The military police recovered the alleged murder weapon, an AK-47 rifle, and 13 cartridges from the scene. The incident has sparked a deeper inquiry into the couple’s troubled history, with authorities determined to uncover any contributing factors.
“This is a tragic incident that highlights the devastating consequences of unresolved relationship issues. Our thoughts are with the families affected by this heartbreaking event,” commented a police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigire.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are committed to comprehensively understanding the motives behind this shocking murder-suicide, shedding light on the complexities of the human experience and the impact of unresolved conflicts on individuals and their communities.
The fact that Corporal Andebo left his post as the bodyguard to Honorable Ronald Kibuule to commit this crime adds a layer of complexity, prompting questions about the stress and challenges faced by those in high-stress occupations and the need for additional support within such roles.
