Gen Katumba shooters linked to 14 murders

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The suspects who were arrested in relation to the shooting of Works Minister Gen Edward Katumba Wamala have been linked to 14 other murders.

Gen Katumba was shot on June 1, 2021, along Kisota road in the outskirts of Kampala in an attack that claimed the life of his daughter Brenda Nantongo and driver Haruna Kayondo. In the aftermath, the joint security team comprising personnel from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence-CMI, Crime Intelligence-CI and Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce-JATT, supervised by deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen Paul Lokech launched a hunt for the attackers.

Maj Gen Lokech said today in a statement that they have since arrested a 12th suspect Huzaifa Wampa alias Kanaabe, who has been pinned as the person who fired bullets on the left side of Gen Katumba’s vehicle using a motorcycle that was ridden by his colleague Walusimbi who was charged last week.

Security said Wampa was arrested from a hideout near Kalule trading centre in Luwero district yesterday. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga quoting Maj Gen Lokech said, “Wampa is a member of infamous Bodaboda 2010 which became infamous for grabbing motorcycles of riders who were not their members, extorting money from their victims as well as subjecting them to excruciating torture.”

“An immediate thorough search was conducted at his known premises and the motorcycle Bajaj Boxer, red in colour registration number UEO 375, which was used during the attack was recovered. Other relevant exhibits recovered include a hoodie that he used to cover his head, an assortment of jackets, gloves, and warm suits,” reads Gen Lokech statement.

The colleague Walusimbi was charged alongside four others; Muhammad Kagugube alias Musiramu/Mugisha/Mbavumoja, a boda boda rider and a resident of Kikaaya zone in Kawempe division, Siriman Ayuub Kisambira alias Mukwasi Koja, a resident of Kabaganda village in Kasangati town council, Abdulaziz Ramathan Dunku, a tailor/car seats repairer, and resident of Matugga and Habib Marjan, a religious teacher.

Earlier on, security had arraigned two suspects in court and these include Sheik Yusuf Siraji Nyanzi and Hussein Sserubula alias Imam Muto. This brings the number of live suspects to eight while those who have been killed include Hussein Lubwama alias Master, Mustafa Ramadan Kawawa alias Amin, Idri Juma Sserwadda and Juma Saidi.

But according to Lokech, these have also been linked to the murder of Maj Muhammad Kiggundu and his bodyguard Sgt Stephen Mukasa on November 26, at Masanafu trading centre in Lubaga division, and the killing of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi alongside his bodyguard Cpl Kenneth Erau and driver Cpl Godfrey Mambewa on March 17, 2017.

They are also linked to the death of SPC Hussein Mubiru and SPC Moses Karungi on September 18, 2017, at Kalerwe market, the robbery at cheap general hardware in Nansana where four people Frank Anania, Amim Bugembe, Jummy Atukuru and Frank Abaho were killed on May 29, 2019.

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