Police in Uganda’s Savannah region have launched an investigation into a tragic incident at the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Kaweweta Training School in Nakaseke District, where a soldier is accused of murdering his girlfriend before attempting to take his own life.
The incident occurred on March 3, 2025, at the military barracks. Cpl Denis Sserunkuma, a soldier assigned to the training wing, allegedly shot and killed Keila Kebirungi Adyeri during a domestic dispute. Authorities report that Sserunkuma emerged from his grass-thatched house armed with an SMG rifle, fatally shooting Kebirungi. He then turned the weapon on himself, firing a shot that pierced his chin. Despite the injury, he survived and was quickly transported to Kaweweta Military Health Centre for treatment.
Kebirungi’s body was taken to Bombo Military Hospital for a postmortem examination. The case has been officially logged at Kinyogoga Police Station in Nakaseke District as authorities work to uncover the root of the altercation and the motive behind the shooting.
Such incidents involving armed forces personnel targeting their partners are not uncommon in Uganda. Domestic disputes, often linked to infidelity or mental health struggles, frequently underlie these violent episodes. The recently published 2024 crime report highlights a decline in murder-by-shooting cases, with 188 incidents recorded nationwide compared to 300 in 2023. Similarly, domestic violence-related murders dropped to 183 cases in 2024 from 242 the previous year, signaling a downward trend but underscoring the persistent challenge of such violence.
As investigations continue, this case adds to the growing scrutiny of interpersonal conflicts within Uganda’s military community and raises questions about the support systems in place for soldiers and their families.