Ugandan soldier kills Indian boss over poor pay, turns gun on himself

Police in Uganda are investigating a double tragedy involving a 38-year soldier who shot and killed a 41-year-old Indian manager before turning the gun on himself over minimal pay.

38-year-old Private James Opio, a soldier attached to Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF), was contracted to work as a guard at Royal Velko Joint Venture Ltd site located in Amolatar District.

The site was managed by Thirumalesh Itikala, who also doubled up as the engineer. 

According to North Kyoga Regional Public Relations Officer Jimmy Okema, the soldier reported for duty on Friday, October 4, after spending the night at a disco in a nearby trading centre.

He is said to have kept complaining about little pay to his colleagues. Disgruntled over the matter, Opio rushed to Itikala's front office and opened fire, shooting him on the chest as he was communicating on phone. 

"Opio then left through the main gate of the site for about 50 metres and shot himself in the neck and died instantly," Okema told the Daily Monitor publication.

The soldier was rushed to Amolatar Health Centre level IV hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Following the incident, officers arrived at the scene to process and document the events to determine what transpired.

Both bodies, which lie at Amolatar Health Centre, are awaiting post-mortem examination. 

"This is a sad and unfortunate incident. We appeal to supervisors at all workplaces to always engage staff or security deployed to provide protection to listen to their problems and act accordingly," Okema appealed.