Police in Kampala have revealed that the police officer who shot his wife dead on Tuesday had longstanding domestic issues.
AIP Ekwang David, 40,attached to the Counter Terrorism Tactical unit, killed CPL Atino Jennifer, who was attached to the VIP Protection Unit of the Parliament on September 5, 2023, following a heated argument at their residence at Jinja Road police barracks .
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson says the incident stems from a long-standing domestic dispute between the couple. Matters escalated to a point where the deceased, CPL Atino felt compelled to report the situation to the Child and Family Protection Unit (CFPU) at Jinja Road Police Station on September 1, 2023.
Onyango says a summon letter was served to the suspect through his duty station at CT Headquarters Naguru, instructing him to report to CFPU on the same day. However, AIP Ekwang David failed to comply until September 5, 2023, after his duty shift, when he eventually presented himself at CFPU at Jinja Road Police Station.
Upon their meeting at the police station, CPL Atino Jennifer and AIP Ekwang David were invited by CFPU officers to discuss their issues and seek resolution.
During these discussions, the suspect was informed of the Child Neglect charges against him. He reportedly expressed his frustration, claiming that his salary had been significantly reduced due to loans that the deceased allegedly pressured him into acquiring.
Tensions continued to escalate during the conversation, with the deceased rejecting the financial support offered by the suspect for child upkeep. Instead, she demanded that the case be forwarded to court for further adjudication. Following this disagreement, both parties left the police station, with the deceased returning home and the suspect trailing behind her.
According to Onyango, tragically, a quarrel erupted at their residence, ultimately culminating in AIP Ekwang David allegedly shooting CPL Atino Jennifer with a pistol. The incident unfolded swiftly, leaving the victim fatally wounded.
The authorities swiftly responded to the scene, with police officers from both the regional and divisional units arriving to investigate the matter. They recovered a suspected murder weapon, identified as UG POL 0075461023626429, along with three spent cartridges.
The crime scene was meticulously processed and documented, and statements were collected from relevant witnesses. The body of CPL Atino Jennifer was transported to the KCCA mortuary at Mulago for a postmortem examination. Meanwhile, the suspect remains in custody at Jinja Road Police Station, pending further inquiries.
In light of this tragic event, Onyango has appealed to members of the armed forces to seek peaceful resolutions to their disputes and refrain from resorting to the use of firearms, which they are entrusted with to protect Ugandans.
The investigation into this heart-wrenching incident continues, with the nation grappling with the loss of a dedicated officer and the shocking circumstances surrounding her death.