Police Spokes Person Andrew Felix Kaweesi Shot dead

Police Spokesman Andrew Felix Kaweesi is dead. He was shot at by a group of unknown gunmen as he left his home in Kulambiro, a suburb of Kampala this morning. His driver Godfrey Mambewa and bodyguard Kenneth Erau are also confirmed dead.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Emilian Kayima has confirmed the tragedy. Eye Witnesses say the killers were traveling on a motorcycle. The shooting reportedly lasted more than 10 minutes.

Our reporters at the scene say that the vehicle, a Police car registration number UP4778, in which the three were traveling, was shot from both sides. The Scene of crime has since been cordoned and is now surrounded by Scene of crime officers, while the bodies have been taken to the City Mortuary in Mulago awaiting Postmortem.

Who is Felix Kaweesi?

Kaweesi began his police career in 2001. After graduating at the police training school, Kibuli and serving in the force for about three years, he was appointed a personal assistant to Police Chief Gen. Kale Kayihura. He was promoted after about two years and deployed as the head of Kabalye Police Training School.

From Kabalye, Kaweesi became the Commandant of Kampala Metropolitan Police and was promoted to the rank of AIGP. Kaweesi also served as the Director of Operations before being appointed Director of Human Resource Development in the Uganda Police Force.

At the time of his deployment in Kampala in 2011, the city was battling the Walk to Work protests, initiated by former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye after the 2011 elections.

He was appointed Police Spokesperson in August last year, to take over a mandate previously held by Fred Enanga, becoming the first person at the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) to serve as a spokesperson in the History of the Uganda Police Force.

Kaweesi's appointment came at a time when the Police Force was fighting a tainted image, in conflict with institutions like the Judiciary and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. Police was also facing criticism from the opposition, the diplomatic core and civil society organizations over brutality and corruption.

His duties included among others, re-branding the police force through its public relations department. He however maintained his position as the Director of the Human Resource Development.

-URN