When residents gathered to understand what was happening, witnesses allege that officers opened fire. In the chaos, Ashraf Kawanguzi, described by community members as unarmed, was shot dead.
No Tax Worth a Life: Outrage After Shooting in Eastern Uganda
Grief and anger have engulfed parts of eastern Uganda following the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Ashraf Kawanguzi in Namutumba District.
The incident occurred in Namutumba when armed officers from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) were reportedly pursuing a vehicle suspected of carrying smuggled goods. According to local accounts, the suspected smuggler abandoned the vehicle at a busy trading centre and fled on foot — a scenario residents say is not uncommon in rural communities during enforcement operations.
As unfamiliar armed men moved through the area, locals reportedly raised an alarm, drumming to alert others of unusual armed presence in their village. When residents gathered to understand what was happening, witnesses allege that officers opened fire. In the chaos, Ashraf Kawanguzi, described by community members as unarmed, was shot dead.
The tragedy has revived painful memories of previous enforcement crackdowns, particularly in the West Nile region, where operations have in the past drawn criticism. There have been longstanding accusations that some personnel, including members of the Uganda People’s Defence Force, used excessive force against suspected smugglers instead of following due legal process.
Residents and activists are now questioning the proportionality of such operations. Many argue that no amount of tax revenue justifies the loss of human life. “No tax is worth a human being,” one community member lamented. “Even if someone is suspected of smuggling, there is a law. Arrest them. Take them to court. Why shoot?”
As of the time of writing, URA had not publicly issued a detailed statement addressing the shooting, further fueling public frustration and demands for accountability.
For Kawanguzi’s family and the wider community, the issue goes beyond enforcement — it is about the value placed on human life. The incident has reignited debate about the conduct of armed operations in civilian areas and whether sufficient safeguards exist to protect innocent bystanders.
In a country where many already feel vulnerable in the face of state power, this latest death has deepened a painful question: if enforcing taxes costs lives, who will be held responsible?
