Ten police officers have been arrested in connection with the murder of two Counter Terrorism police officers Nalufenya Police Station in Jinja on Monday night.
The shooting claimed the lives of constables Godfrey Wafula and Simon Niwamanya who were transferred from police headquarters in Kampala to Nalufenya about two weeks ago.
Police on Tuesday dismissed claims of bad blood between Flying Squad Unit (FSU) and Counter Terrorism (CT) to have caused the Monday night shooting.
Mr Herbert Muhangi, FSU commander that was early this month merged with Special Operation Unit (SOU) and relocated from Kampala to Nalufenya said there is no hostility between the two units adding that the shooting was an inevitable accident.
“What happened was an accident that resulted from violation of barracks guidelines. The victims were shot by their colleague after trying to use unauthorised entry into the barracks,” Mr Muhangi said.
A source at Nalufenya who preferred anonymity said CT and FSU had been feuding over operations budget and specialised assignments since they all have almost similar skills.
Mr Simon Lubega, Kiira Regional Police spokesperson, described the situation as unfortunate adding that the two police officers were gunned down by their colleague who was guarding of the facility that also acts as a detention centre for high profile criminals.
He concurred with Mr Muhangi that deceased cops tried to force their way into the barracks after being barred from entering through the main gate on account that they were trying to gain entry beyond the recommended check-in time.
He said: “About eight Counter Terrorism Police officers went out and returned late and denied access to the facility. Unfortunately, the two officers decided to force their way through another route and in doing so, they were shot.”
Mr Godfrey Asiimwe, said his brother Niwamanya joined police in 2014 and was passed out in March 2015. At the time he joined police, Niwamanya had completed Senior Six at St Paul Bukinda in Kabale District.
“I can’t believe that my young brother is dead. Police hasn’t told us the circumstances under which our brother was killed. He was a reserved person,” Mr Asiimwe said at the City Mortuary on Tuesday.