Umeme boss beaten by mob in Mubende

By Luke Kagiri

MUBENDE - A Umeme manager in Mubende was severely beaten by an infuriated mob before the police intervened and rescued him during a clash at Kasambya trading centre in Mubende district.

JohnBosco Katande sustained several injuries in a scuffle that arose after some area residents rioted in protest against Umeme officials who wanted to take away a transformer at the centre.

The protest resulted into a fierce encounter that pitted police operatives against defiant rioters.

One other person was injured and fifteen arrested during the Friday scuffle.

Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, who was in the area that same day, vowed to contact Umeme in order to rectify the electricity issues in Kasambya subcounty.

He was attending, as guest of honour, an event to mark the World Health and Malaria Day at Kasambya DAS Primary School.

“I have received news that might have affected our celebrations here, and that is the Umeme fighting with the locals. I undertake to communicate with Umeme about this issue,” he said.

The VP further promised that he would contact the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to construct the Lusalira to Kasambya road, which is in a poor state.

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Residents carry a colleague to Kasambya health center after getting injured during the riot. PHOTO/Luke Kagiri

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Mubende RDC Florence Beyunga was rescued from the wrath of the rioters by security operatives. PHOTO/Luke Kagiri

What had angered the rioters was that the transformer was to be carried away without any replacement.

Security operatives spent most of the day battling with residents, who were attempting to lynch the Umeme officials.

Umeme manager Katante was admitted in Mubende regional referral hospital and by Saturday morning, his condition had not improved.

Another trader Charles Isabirye in the area was shot at two times on the left arm and left leg and admitted in Kasambya health centre.

Ovuru Binega, the regional police commander for Wamala region said he had deployed more anti-riot policemen on Saturday to ensure that the town is calm.