Soldier Kills Boss, Then Himself Over Salary Woes
In a shocking incident that has left the community in disbelief, Ugandan authorities are investigating a tragic case in which a 38-year-old soldier shot and killed his Indian employer before turning the gun on himself.
The incident took place at the Royal Velko Joint Venture Ltd site in Amolatar District, where Private James Opio, a soldier attached to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), was working as a guard.
Opio, who had reportedly been disgruntled over low wages, arrived for duty on Friday, October 4, after a night out at a local disco. Colleagues revealed that he had been vocal about his frustrations regarding his pay.
In a fit of rage, he stormed into the office of Thirumalesh Itikala, a 41-year-old Indian national who managed the site and served as the lead engineer. As Itikala was on a phone call, Opio fired a fatal shot, hitting him in the chest.
The soldier then exited the premises and walked 50 meters away from the site before turning the gun on himself, shooting himself in the neck. He was rushed to Amolatar Health Centre IV but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police officers arrived at the scene shortly after the tragedy to investigate the circumstances leading to the fatal incident. Both bodies are currently awaiting post-mortem examinations at Amolatar Health Centre.
Regional police spokesperson Jimmy Okema described the incident as tragic and called for better communication between employers and their staff, especially in addressing grievances. “We urge supervisors at all workplaces to engage with their employees and listen to their concerns to avoid such unfortunate outcomes,” Okema said.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to establish more details surrounding the deadly confrontation.
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Soldier Kills Boss, Then Himself Over Salary Woes
