Archbishop Kazimba: Embrace dialogue to end abductions, security attacks

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | It is time the country resorted to dialogue to end attacks on security personnel and abductions, Dr. Samuel Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, the Church of Uganda Archbishop said. Kazimba who was delivering his Christmas sermon at All Saints Church at Nakasero said nothing is unsolvable once dialogue is embraced.

This year and last year have seen several attacks on police officers, soldiers, and private security guards on duty. The attackers target the security personnel with guns. The assailants have shot at least more than 10 police officers, soldiers, and private security guards and taken their firearms.

The last incident happened at Kyabadaza police station in Butambala where armed men fired several bullets into the station forcing police officers to flee. The attackers later torched the police station and released the suspects.

Prior to the attack at Kyabadaza police station, the armed men first shot to death two civilians identified as Ibra Kalyango and Peter Nsubuga who tried to question their presence in Kasule Ayanguwa village at 11 pm. Security later killed two suspects linked to the Kyabadaza police attack in Matugga town council, Wakiso district.

Kazimba’s message comes two days after the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola listed the attacks on his men as one of the most challenging crimes of this year. “To begin with, we are entering the festive season amidst a threatening environment, that is motivated by individuals and groups with violent ideologies. These criminal elements from the ADF and the Uganda Coalition for Change (UCFC), a self-styled rebel group, carried out senseless attacks on police units and personnel, in which some of our officers lost their lives, while others were seriously injured, in the line of duty of protecting the community,” Ochola said.

He also cited violent crimes along the Kampala Northern bypass including vandalism targeting motorists, key electricity and utility infrastructure, and aggravated robberies and murders. “Despite these challenges, I am grateful to the collaborative efforts of the joint security partners, my leadership team, all territorial commanders and frontline officers, who have gone above the call of duty, to prevent, counter, disrupt and dismantle, the criminal elements behind these acts of hostility and violence,” Ochola said.

But Kazimba said all such incidents point to the fact that there is a problem that is growing and only dialogue could lead to an everlasting solution. Rev. Fr John Baptist Ssonko in his sermon at Bukerere parish in Mukono emphasized the need for parents to use Christmas to tell children why Jesus Christ was born. Children, according to Fr Ssonko, need to know that emulating the life of Christ means having morals like respect for parents, and elders and avoiding evil acts that ruin their future.

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URN