Authorities have confirmed the arrest of a suspect following the shooting of a security guard at the Kings Park Arena during the finals of the 2023/24 rugby Nile Special Uganda Cup. The incident occurred on Saturday night when the armed lawyer, identified as Sam Ahamya, allegedly shot and killed 37-year-old Nekeon Buruga.
The tragedy unfolded after the rugby final, in which Heathens defeated Rams 57-22 to win the men’s category. According to sources at Kira Divisional Police, the 47-year-old murder suspect, Ahamya, had visited the Kings Park Rugby Club earlier in the day with his two children for leisure. He had left his pistol at the entrance with a police officer while enjoying the event.
At around 10 pm, Ahamya went to retrieve his weapon. During the process of performing Normal Safety Precautions (NSP) with the magazine still in the pistol, he accidentally shot and injured Buruga, who was working as a watchman at the arena.
The police immediately responded to the incident, and the suspect was taken into custody. The murder weapon, a pistol, was recovered and secured for forensic analysis. Nekeon Buruga’s body was transported to the City mortuary for postmortem examination.
The crime scene was thoroughly investigated, and authorities have opened a case of murder by shooting. The tragic event adds to concerns about gun violence in the country, as over 270 cases of murder by shooting were reported nationwide in the 2022 annual police crime report.
The motive behind the shooting at the rugby event is still under investigation, and the legal proceedings against the suspect will follow as the forensic analysis and inquiries progress. The incident casts a shadow over the rugby community and raises questions about the security measures at public events.
