KAMPALA, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan police on Friday said its spokesperson was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Kulambiro, a suburb in the capital Kampala.

The police in a brief statement said Andrew Felix Kaweesi, who was also director of human resource development in the force, was shot on Friday together with his bodyguard and driver.

Emilian Kayima, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, told reporters at the scene of the crime that security agencies have launched a joint investigation to establish the cause and motive of the killings.

"We ask the public to remain calm. All experts have been put together to manage the situation," said Kayima.

Eyewitness accounts according to local radio stations said Kaweesi was shot by gunmen moving on a motorcycle.

Similar shootings have in the recent past occurred in Kampala as gun wielding men killed Muslim clerics.