MPs task Museveni on cleaning up security

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Members of Parliament have tasked the President to clean up the security, following the shooting of former Works Minister Gen Katumba.

Unidentified gunmen shot dead Katumba’s daughter Brenda Wamala Nantongo, a 27-year-old and the driver Haruna Kayondo.

The gunmen intercepted General Katumba along Kisota road in Kisaasi in his vehicle registration number H4DF 2138. However, Katumba sustained gunshot injuries on both shoulders.

Manjia County MP John Baptist Nambeshe, who also doubles as the Opposition Chief Whip said following the shooting of other prominent persons in the past years, the President should clean up the security in its entirety.

According to Nambeshe, there have been limited efforts by the government to improve the security situation in the country.

Bright Rwamirama, the Isingiro County North MP says that the public should be security cautious and alert.

Busiro East MP Medard Lubega Ssegona says that it is unfortunate that the General did not have his security detail at the time of the attack.

Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende says that government must fast track the investigations into the shootings of prominent people. She also said that security personnel should investigate civilians who have weapons in their hands.

The Kasilo County MP Elijah Okupa says the attempt on Gen Katumba is unfortunate since he has not been in any sort of controversy. He also says the CCTV camera coverage needs to increase.

Okupa says that there is a need for sharpshooters that were once provided to leaders, but it is key to secure every Uganda.

General Katumba is not the first high profile Ugandan official to be attacked by gunmen riding on motorcycles.

On March 17th, 2017, unknown gunmen shot dead the former police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi, his bodyguard, Kenneth Erau and driver Godfrey Mambewa.

The trio was gunned down a few meters from Kaweesi’s home in Kulambiro, a Kampala suburb.

Kaweesi’s assassination followed the murder of former State prosecutor Joan Kagezi in 2015, and Major Muhammad Kiggundu in 2016 in a similar style.

In June 2018, unidentified assailants also gunned down Arua Municipality Member of Parliament Ibrahim Abiriga in a similar manner.

In 2018, President Museveni rolled out a 7-point security plan to end the assassination and rising gun violence, particularly in urban areas.

Some of the plans included the installation of CCTV cameras, gun fingerprinting, deployment of Local Defense Unit (LDU) personnel, introducing electronic plates, ban on hoods and use of drones among others.

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