Ugandan authorities 'apologise for shooting cleric'

The government in Uganda has apologised to the family of a church leader who was shot dead by police in Kasese district, according to state-owned New Vision newspaper.

The local commissioner Joe Walusimbi attended the funeral of Rev Ordinand Benon Musiimenta and said President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had told him to apologise.

"We are at fault. He [President Museveni] told me to have the soldier handled according to the law of the country and the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) rules," Mr Walusimbi is quoted by New Vision as saying.

The commissioner gave the widow 5m Ugandan shillings ($1,300; £1,047) which he said had been instructed by the president.

The church leader was shot dead on Wednesday as he was riding a motorbike with his wife to their farm. His wife was injured.

The officers involved were arrested and will appear at a military court according to the police spokesperson:

The Commander and the soldier who shot the Church lay leader in Kasese were yesterday arrested as investigations commenced.They will appear in the military court .The UPDF highly regrets the incident and extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family.

— Brig RichardKaremire (@UPDFspokespersn) June 25, 2020