A police officer, Wednesday, shot dead a suspected smuggler along Rwanda-Uganda border in Burera district.

Sources said JM Vianney Ayurwanda, 33, was shot dead after he tried to wrestle with the policeman at a border point which sources are saying is porous. His body was taken to Ruhengeri Hospital mortuary.

The incident occurred at 10 am, in Kamanyana cell, Cyanika sector, a few kilometres from the Uganda-Rwandan border.

Security sources added that  ten smugglers hoped to cross with their goods once the man who was shot dead had overpowered the police officer.

The police spokesman, Theos Badege, explained that the police officer was on his normal patrol duty along the border line when the incident occurred.

There will be investigations into the circumstances under which the police officer shot  the smuggler, Badege said, adding that criminal charges may be preferred against him.

It was reported that smugglers in the area have a history of confrontation with security officers.

Ends