Authorities in Uganda are investigating a tragic event that resulted in a soldier fatally shooting an Indian manager before taking his own life, with reports indicating that low wages may have been a factor.
The incident involved 38-year-old Private James Opio, who was serving as a security guard for the Royal Velko Joint Venture Ltd in Amolatar District.
The victim, 41-year-old Thirumalesh Itikala, was the site manager and also worked as the engineer.
According to North Kyoga Regional Public Relations Officer Jimmy Okema, Opio reported for duty on Friday, October 4, after spending the night at a nearby disco.
Colleagues noted that he had been vocal about his dissatisfaction regarding his pay, which appeared to be weighing heavily on him.
In a moment of rage, Opio confronted Itikala in his office and shot him in the chest while he was engaged in a phone conversation.
Following the shooting, Opio walked about 50 meters away from the scene before turning the weapon on himself, resulting in his immediate death.
Emergency medical personnel rushed him to Amolatar Health Centre Level IV, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Law enforcement has since converged on the site to gather evidence and establish the circumstances leading up to this tragic event.
Both bodies are currently at the health facility, awaiting post-mortem examinations to further understand the situation.
“This is a deeply saddening incident,” Officer Okema expressed.
He emphasized the importance for employers to foster open communication with their employees, particularly those in security roles, to address any grievances before they escalate.
The incident underscores the urgent need for dialogue in workplaces to mitigate frustrations and prevent such tragedies in the future.
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