Ibrahim Abiriga’s car bearing bullet holes from the scene where he was assassinated in Matugga

The Minister of State for Water, Ronald Kibuule, has said security officials are behind the recent assassinations of top government personalities stating that the Armed personnels are so close to the civilians which has resulted to misuse of Arms.

“Initially, there was fear of the gun. But because of the friendly nature of the forces, the gun is not feared now, which is an achievement as NRM. Our armed officers are very close to the population and that has come with the challenge of misuse of the weapon by killing Ugandans,” Kibuule said.

He continued to say that the assailants are trained and execute the killings with such perfection and professionalism that cannot be executed by a layman. Asked whether the reference ‘armed officers’ meant the security officials, Kibuule said “Yes, these are security officials and trained. When you look at the killings that have happened, they are done professionally. This is what I call misuse of arms by our comrades the armed officials. The killers have been smart, they have used boda bodas to run away. They cannot be just common wanainchi. Eyewitnesses said they shoot using one hand, nobody can do this unless they are experts.”

“These cannot be mere casual people. For example, the death of Ibrahim Abiriga, these could have been sharpshooters but had never got a chance to practice this at the battle ground,” he added.

Kibuule urged security agencies to investigate the killings to find out why people are dying in a similar way (shooting).

“We need the security apparatus to come top on these particular issues. People are continuing to die; they are putting our security in the country at stake,” Kibuule said.

Uganda has witnessed the killing of more than five big personalities in government and several others in the religious circles in less than 4 years.

The recent murder of Arua Municipality MP Late Hon. Ibrahim Abirirga was the last to be witnessed in the country and tends to be the base of Kibuule’s claims. It should be remembered that Abiriga was shot dead alongside his bodyguard by gunmen moving on motorcycles in Kawanda on Bombo Road.

After the assassination, some Members of Parliament (MPs) tasked the government to provide protection for fear they would be the next targets.

President Museveni. thereafter ordered the Ministry of Finance to procure bulletproof escort cars manned by sharpshooters as extra protection to the legislators.

The decision however, sparked a storm among the civil society, general public and some MPs, questioning its justification and cost implications.

So Opposition MPs said they would shun the escort vehicles, arguing that security for the general public is more critical than the individual protection.

However, Kibuule noted that its cheaper to protect an MP with an escort car and sharpshooter than bury and organize a bi-election.

“Ensuring Ugandan security is key but securing an individual’s security is key, especially for some figures. We are a representation of a bigger society that is why we are called MPs. We can be targeted for different reasons,”

“They need to be protected but the only problem is the money to procure the protection. We will spend much more money to give MPs state burials and later conduct by-elections than buy for them the pick-ups. We shall get softer solutions to this,” Kibuule lamented.

Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima said he could not confirm the allegations of the minister until all the ongoing cases have been cordially investigated.

“I do not want to be taken like I am answering him but we need to get to the bottom of the investigations before we draw any conclusions. Yes, there can be some cases of misbehavior, negligence and careless mistakes but since no one has been convicted, I cannot confirm anything,” Emilian said.

Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) deputy spokesperson Deo Akiki declined to comment on the issue because of its sensitivity and referred the Matter to his boss, Brig Richard Karemire.

“It is a minister making a statement here, I would not want to answer him because the issue is sensitive. You can talk to my boss for a comment or the Minister of Internal Affairs,” he said.

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The post Kibuule pins recent Uganda assassinations to security officials first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Troubled City Socialite Brian Kirumira aka Brian White

Police Spokesperson, Emilian Kayima, has denied the the allegations that the force had assigned Brian Kirumira police guards and the two officers who were part of Kirumira’s security detail attached to Kabalagala Police Station were arrested in connection to the incident.

“There is no deployment as to the effect of guarding Bryan White. Whoever was involved will have to explain how he or she got there. Some are already in custody,” Kayima said.

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However, it is still uncertain why Police had remained silent on the matter until then since Kirumira has been moving around with the police guards for some time. He once appeared in a city tabloid jogging under the protection of six heavily armed personal believed to be police officers.

Since he has never made a formal request for security, “I am not sure that the police simply looked on. His action should be a lesson to all those socialites who love to get VIP treatment. It’s also a lesson to security personnel that are possibly into such habits,” Kayima said.

According to Kayima, they are hunting for the remaining officers who have been moving with Kirumira as well as guard his homes.

Kirumira was arrested from Buziga last week for shooting businessman Victor Bitwire and charged with attempted murder.

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Former Cranes Captain, Godfrey Massa

POLICE is to considering charges of attempted murder against Uganda’s former Cranes Captain, Godfrey Massa, who missed death by a whisker late Wednesday night after he disobeyed orders from police on a night patrol in Bweyogere, Wakiso district.

According to police, Massa who was in the company of a lady only identified a Josephine Maliza attempted to drive off in terrific speed after 2 officers on a motorcycle intercepted him while parked suspiciously near Mandela National Stadium.

Police had sought to find out who the occupants of a parked Pajero were but however, this seems to have caught the football star off guard prompting him to speed off hence prompting the police shoot in attempt to deflate the car tyres.

Massa is said to have suddenly stopped the car and in the process hit his forehead on the windscreen. Maliza on the other hand is said to have sustained bullet wounds.

The victims rushed to a nearby clinic known as Gwaniro in Bweyogerere where they received treatment.

Emilian Kayima, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson

Emilian Kayima, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson says the football star has already recorded a statement with them and that police will soon sanction a file with charges of attempted murder among them.

“Well, we are still investigating the matter but we are likely to prefer charges of attempted murder and reckless driving against the footballer,” said Kayima in a police statement.

It is not yet clear why police wants to prefer a case of attempted murder against Massa.

Massa is currently on retirement of international football having led the Uganda team to last year’s African Cup of Nations Finals in Gabon 2016 where they were eliminated by Tunisia during group stages.

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