Luwero residents in self imposed night curfew following Monday attack

Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Traders in Luwero and Wobulenzi town councils have resolved to close early and return home following the Monday attack on a police checkpoint. Unknown assailants armed with machetes emerged from both sides of the police checkpoint at Kiwumpa village near Luwero town council and hacked two constables from the Field Force Unit-FFU, who were guarding traffic officers on duty.

The assailants hacked constable Josephat Twinamatsiko and Ronald Busingye on the head and face and back respectively before making off with their firearms. Busingye died on the way to Luwero hospital and was buried in Kijjula town council in Kabarole district on Wednesday. The attack on armed police officers has triggered panic among residents, who are worried about the motive of the attackers.

Wobulenzi and Luwero towns, which be buzzing with activities till late as revelers party in bars while others engage in late-night shopping became empty as early as 8:00pm. The business people including retail traders and bar operators among others now close by 7pm as the operators rush back home early because of safety concerns.

Donozio Kawooya, the LC1 chairman of Kiwumpa village says that he advised his residents to avoid night movements since the attackers are still at large and their motive for stealing the firearms is still unknown.

Zubair Kasana Muzzanganda, the Chairperson of Kasana Pineapple Roadside Market, says that prior to the incident, the market used to close past 9pm but due to the current tension, vendors retire at 7pm. He explains that the vendors also fear walking in the night for fear of attack since the motive of the assailants is unknown.

Sam Mulwana, the Director of Africa Guest House and Bar in Luwero town, says that even their clients fear visiting bars at night for fear of being arrested in the ongoing security operations. “I have a pool table, bar, and sauna. But all these services attract no person past 7pm because people are living in fear. The insecurity also occurred when the people are already facing an economic crisis so they resolved to shun the bars,” Mulwana said.

Henry Nsubuga, a chapati vendor in Luwero town says that they have registered huge losses, adding that some of their colleagues dealing in fast foods like chips at roadsides have ended up pouring it into garbage pits after failing to get clients.

Moses Luyinda Kalaso, the owner of Noah’s Ark Shop in Luwero, says that although police and UPDF troops were deployed in the town to provide security, they have created more tension among residents. “Whenever we see patrols at night, we think the security has not returned to normalcy and we are forced to close early,” Kalaso said.

Erastus Kibirango, the LC5 chairperson of Luwero district has called for cooperation between the police and residents in the ongoing operations, saying the night deployments have triggered more tension instead of bringing calm.

“As we speak people think the operations may be used to harass them and that is why they run to return home early. We are not sure that the attackers are within or outside but people need to be sensitized that the operations are intended to keep law and order not to harass them,” Kibirango said.

Since the attack, both the police and UPDF control patrols from 10:00pm till late especially in town councils as well as near the scene of the crime. “Since our guns are still in the wrong hands, we have decided to maintain heavy deployments to engage the criminals in case they dare to attack residents,” an officer who preferred anonymity told URN.

Living Twazagye, the Luwero District Police Commander and Regional Police Commander Ignatius Otong were unavailable for comment on whether or not the police had apprehended the attackers and recovered the firearms. Earlier, Otong said he won’t discuss the progress of the ongoing operations with the media till he makes major breakthrough in the hunt for the assailants.

In a statement issued by Police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola said although they are yet to establish the motive behind the violent attack and murder, it appears the assailants targeted firearms.

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