Indian national shot dead in Uganda by off-duty constable;‘deliberate, pre-meditated act’ say police

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 16, 2023: An Indian national was shot dead by an off-duty police constable in Uganda, with the police describing his actions as ‘deliberate’ and ‘pre-meditated.’

“The findings so far, clearly indicate that the actions of our officer were deliberate, planned and pre-meditated,” the Uganda Police Force said in a Twitter statement on Tuesday.

 

The May 12 murder of 39-year-old money lender Uttam Bhandari by 30-year-old Ivan Wabwire, with a stolen AK-47 assault rifle, and over a monetary dispute between the two, wherein Wabwire owed some money to a Bhandari-run financial services firm, was captured on CCTV (Disclaimer: Graphic visuals).

 

This happened in Uganda🇺🇬 pic.twitter.com/la1S9YbPEQ

— Independent Forensic Investigation Unit (@ForensicsZA) May 13, 2023

On May 13, a day after the killing, Ugandan President Yoweri K Museveni, while extending condolences to Bhandari’s family, asked some questions of the security forces.

 

The findings so far, clearly indicate that the actions of our officer were deliberate, planned and pre-meditated.https://t.co/VwwpdEjeBC

— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) May 15, 2023

“The answers to these questions may help us to plug the gaps in the security system,” tweeted Museveni.

The Indian High Commission, based in the African nation’s capital city of Kampala, too extended its condolences to the victim’s kin.

 

Ugandans and, especially the Bazzukulu,

Condolences on the death of one of our Indian People, Mr. Uttam Bhandari, killed by a Police Constable by the names of Wabwire Ivan.

All these mistakes are easily traceable. In this case, for instance, some questions immediately come up:…

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) May 13, 2023

According to police, Wabwire had a history of mental instability and, five years ago, he was banned from possessing firearms. He committed the crime with the AK-47 of a colleague who is also his roommate, officials added.

Bhandari was shot at from a close range at the Kampala-based TFS firm. Also, 13 cartridges were recovered from the crime scene.
Indians in Uganda

The country is home to thousands of Indians, most of whom live and work in Kampala. India has maintained diplomatic presence in Uganda since 1965, around three years after the latter achieved independence.

Courtesy: Hindustan Times