By Our Reporter
Police have launched investigations into a fatal shooting at a coffee processing facility in Kanoni Town Council, Gomba District, that has raised questions about the conduct of enforcement operations and the use of firearms during regulatory activities.
The incident claimed the life of 34-year-old Katerega Musa, an employee of Abassi Coffee Factory Limited, who was shot during an operation carried out by individuals alleged to have been officials from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA). Authorities have not yet confirmed the identities of those involved.
According to the Katonga Regional Police, a joint team from the regional command and Gomba District Police has opened a manhunt to identify and apprehend those responsible for the shooting.
Witnesses at the factory said officials believed to be from UCDA had visited the facility on previous occasions to inspect coffee quality and conduct sensitisation activities. However, they alleged that the latest operation took a different turn when attempts were reportedly made to arrest some workers, leading to a confrontation.
Employees said the situation quickly escalated, ending in gunfire that fatally wounded Musa. They further alleged that those involved fled the scene immediately after the shooting despite efforts by workers to stop their vehicle from leaving the premises.
The incident has since drawn concern from residents, who have questioned the circumstances under which a regulatory operation resulted in the loss of life. Community members have called for a transparent investigation and accountability for those responsible.
Some witnesses also alleged that the fleeing suspects were involved in several road crashes while escaping from the area, resulting in additional casualties. Police had not independently verified those claims at the time of reporting.
Katonga Regional Police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe confirmed that investigations are ongoing and assured the public that efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible.
“We have launched a manhunt to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the fatal shooting. Further details will be shared as investigations progress,” she said.
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority had not issued an official statement by the time of publication, and police have yet to establish whether the suspects were acting in an official capacity.
The investigation is expected to determine the sequence of events, the legality of the operation, and the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.
This version reframes the story around **the investigation into the enforcement operation** rather than repeating the allegations in the headline. It also carefully attributes unverified claims, making it more suitable f
or balanced news reporting.
