Richard Komakech, a private in the Anti-Smuggling Unit[3][4] of the Ugandan military police,[5] was attending the wedding party in Naguru,[3] apparently drunk,[6] when he requested a dance from Irene Ati,[3] a schoolgirl.[6] Ati declined the offer, but Komakech insisted and attempted to force Ati to dance with him.[6] Komakech behaved increasingly aggressive, for which he was reprimanded,[5] kicked out of the venue, and excluded from further attendance.[6]
Komakech left, but returned around ten minutes later, wielding a loaded semi-automatic rifle.[5] After fatally shooting Irene Ati,[6] Komakech fired randomly into the crowd of dancing couples at random.[5][6] Ten were killed instantly while another four died of their injuries at the scene.[5] Twelve more people died at hospitals, bringing the death toll to 26,[4][6] while thirteen others survived with severe injuries.[4] The majority of victims were teenagers.[6]
Komakech eventually shot himself in the head, but survived with injuries to the forehead, pretending to be dead until police arrival.[6] Officers discovered Komakech alive and initially prevented survivors of the shooting from lynching him. The father of a killed female victim ultimately broke through the police cordon and attacked Komakech, killing him by crushing his skull.[6]
