A security guard, Andrew Tumusiime, 24, was found dead in a swimming pool at a residential property in Naguru, Kampala. He was an employee of SGA Security Company and had been deployed to guard a home on Plot 10, Naguru. The occupants of the residence had reportedly vacated the property two days before the incident, leaving Tumusiime and another guard responsible for its security.
Tumusiime's daytime colleague, Edison Kyaligonza, reported that he became concerned when he reported for duty in the morning and could not find him. Kyaligonza said the small gate was open, leading him to believe that Tumusiime had briefly stepped out. After waiting for some time without seeing him, he called Tumusiime's phone, which was ringing, but no one was answering.
Kyaligonza then moved around the house and heard Tumusiime's phone ringing from the swimming pool side. When he got there, he saw Tumusiime's clothes and then his body floating on the water. He immediately called the office, which in turn alerted the police. According to Kyaligonza, Tumusiime appeared to have been recording himself while swimming before he drowned in the deeper section of the pool.
Ahamed Matoovu, chairperson of Kiwalimu Zone in Naguru, was alerted about the incident by the Kira Road Police Division commander and rushed to the property. He was present at the scene as the police began their investigation. The incident has raised concerns about the safety measures in place at residential properties and the training of security personnel.
However, Najiv Ssenyange criticised the police response, saying officers took a long time to retrieve Tumusiime's body. Ssenyange said the first officers who arrived at the scene appeared uncertain about how to handle the recovery and preserve evidence. He suggested that police should train all officers in crime scene management, not just the Scene of Crime Officers.
Some officers at the scene speculated that the security company did not want the incident publicised because the property reportedly belongs to a senior Ugandan bank official. The incident has raised questions about the level of accountability and transparency in the security industry, particularly in cases involving high-profile individuals.
The incident is under investigation, and the police are working to determine the circumstances surrounding Tumusiime's death. The incident has sent shockwaves through the security community, highlighting the risks that security personnel face while on duty.
Key points
- The police response to the incident has been criticised for being slow and inadequate.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety measures in place at residential properties.
- The security company has not commented on the incident, fuelling speculation about a possible cover-up.
