Fresh details have emerged surrounding the incident where Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) David Ekwanga fatally shot his wife, Corporal Jennifer Atino.
The dispute that led to this tragic incident allegedly revolved around the care of their children.
The incident happened at around 5:15 pm on a Tuesday inside their two-roomed house at the Jinja Road police barracks. Both the suspect, David Ekwanga, and the deceased, Jennifer Atino, were members of the counter-terrorism directorate.
Reports reveal that the Child and Family Unit (CFPU), led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Maureen Atuhaire, had summoned Ekwang through his duty station commander last Friday. Ekwang had expressed his frustration to colleagues, describing Atino’s actions as embarrassing and expressing his intent to teach her a lesson.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, confirmed that the couple had a history of domestic violence, with Atino having reported Ekwang on September 1, 2023. Onyango revealed that Ekwang had been summoned by the CFPU but failed to appear on the scheduled day.
On the fateful Tuesday, Ekwang reported for duty at the Jinja Road police station and was summoned by the station’s Family Unit supervisor.
“The suspect was informed of the offense of child neglect, and he complained of receiving only half his salary due to loans the deceased allegedly forced him to acquire. During the discussions, the deceased rejected what the suspect was offering her for child upkeep and demanded that the case file be forwarded to court for further management,” explained Onyango.
After their heated disagreement at the office, Ekwang and Atino left separately. However, tragedy struck when Atino returned home, and the suspect confronted her, leading to a heated argument. In the course of the dispute, Ekwang retrieved his pistol and fired it, tragically ending Atino’s life.
The firearm used by Ekwang, with serial number UG POL 0075461023626429, has since been recovered from the couple’s residence. Detectives have determined that Ekwang fired three fatal shots, hitting his wife in the head and chest.
Ekwang is detained at Jinja Road Police Station.