Policemen scamper into hiding as Museveni visits

Feb 09, 2015

THERE was drama as the President made impromptu visits to the scenes of murder in Namayingo and Mayuge to acquaint himself with details of the gruesome incidents

By Steven Candia

 

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni is personally investigating the murder of two prominent persons in Mayuge and Namayingo district. 

 

However, there was drama as the President made impromptu visits to the scenes of murder in Namayingo and Mayuge to acquaint himself with details of the gruesome incidents. 

 

Sources in Namayingo told New Vision that the policemen literally fled into hiding on learning of President Museveni’s arrival in the district. None of the officers from Namayingo Police Station was available to brief the President.

 

Museveni’s visit to Namayingo district on Saturday afternoon was in response to the murder, on February 1, of David Okware, the chairperson of Buyinja sub-county. Okware was also the NRM publicity secretary.

 

Museveni arrived in Namayingo aboard a helicopter from Moroto, where he had presided over the Tarehe Sita celebrations on Friday.

 

A visibly furious Museveni, who accused the Police in Namayingo of laziness, ordered for the immediate removal of the entire Police team from the district, the Gombolola internal security officer and the district internal security officer (DISO).

 

The President, also responding to public demand, announced the removal of the resident district commissioner (RDC) Mpimbaza Hashaka, who was also present. 

 

Museveni wondered how the Police failed to respond quickly to the incident that occurred a stone’s throw away from the Police station.

 

According to the NRM chairperson of Sigulu sub-county, George Ambasa, who is a neighbour to the deceased, the Police would have been able to arrest the thugs if they had responded promptly. The Police arrived at the scene almost an hour after the shooting. 

 

The President was in company of the director of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate Grace Akullo and the newly appointed regional Police commander of Busoga North, Ashraf Chemonges. 

 

From Namayingo, Museveni proceeded to Mayuge district, where he spent close to three hours. During the visit, he laid a wreath on the grave of Sheikh Daktur Kadhir Muwaya and talked to the bereaved family. 

 

Muwaya was father to Mayuge district chairperson Omar Bongo. Besides being leader of the Shia Muslim community, Muwaya was also a prominent member of the ruling NRM.

 

Sources told New Vision that Museveni pointed out that he was in the area “not for a visit” but to investigate the murders. 

 

Both murders were all executed by thugs travelling on motorcycles and were carried out at the homes of the victims at night.

 

Muwaya, the national leader of the Shia Muslim community in Uganda, was gunned down on the night of December 25, 2014, while David Okware was murdered on February 1.

 

According to relatives, three thugs arrived at Okware’s home as they prepared to have supper. They found the deceased seated on a plastic chair outside the house and asked whether he was Okware. The deceased replied that he was the one.

 

One of the thugs, dressed in overalls, pulled out an AK-47 gun and shot Okware four times in the abdomen. The thugs rode away on their bike.

 

A statement issued from State House On Sunday said the President “expressed his displeasure at the way the Police in Namayingo town council responded and handled the matter. 

 

He, therefore, directed their immediate send back to Police Headquarters for further instructions”. Museveni also extended his condolences to the family of Okware and the people of Namayingo, assuring them that “the perpetrators of the heinous act would be hunted down and apprehended”.

 

Okware was buried at his home in Namavundu village on Thursday. In Mayuge, Museveni condemned the killing of Muwaya and reportedly ordered for the immediate removal of the DISO.

 

“The Government will do everything to apprehend the situation. Whoever is responsible for the murder of Muwaya will face consequences,” Museveni assured the relatives of the deceased at their home in Kavule village, Mayuge town council in Mayuge district, according to a State House statement.

 

Museveni, who was received at the family home by the widow, Hajat Janat Daktur, observed that if there were any land wrangles, the correct move would have been for the parties in the conflict to resort to court.

 

The visit by Museveni comes after several suspects were arrested in connection with both murders, with some having been already charged, particularly in connection with the murder of Muwaya.

 

Following the Namayingo incident, the Police boss, Gen. Kale Kayihura, also suspended four senior commanders in Busoga North Police region, accusing them of laxity. He replaced them with a new leadership.

 

Those suspended are; Moses Muluya, the regional Police commander for Busoga North; Fred Tayebwa, the Namayingo district Police commander; Joyce Achiro, the officer in charge of Namayingo district and Fahadi Naduli, the Namayingo district criminal investigations department boss.

 

There have also been other murder incidents in Namayingo in the past few months. A Police officer in charge of Dohwe Police Post in Buhemba sub-county was shot dead last year.

 

A 34-year-old peasant farmer in Buswale sub-county was also shot dead by armed thugs late last year by three men moving on a bodaboda at night.

 

A policeman guarding the electoral commission offices located in Namayingo town council was also robbed of his gun by three armed men moving on a motorcycle again late last year.

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