By Dismus Buregyeya  

The Deputy Director Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Maj. Bende Baguma, has camped in Masaka to beef up investigations into a series of mystery murders in the area.

Maj Baguma with his team has joined Brigadier Gavas Mugyeyi who heads the UPDF Armoured Brigade, and other military intelligence officers who visited the families of the deceased persons on October 17.

Earlier the Commander of the Defense Forces (CDF) Aronda Nyakirima met the security team in Masaka over the murder incidents.

So far three suspects whose identities have been kept anonymous are detained at Masaka Central Police Station, according to the Southern Regional Police Spokesman, Noah Sserunjongi.

In about just a month a total of nine people have so far been brutally murdered in their homes in Kyesiga and Kyanamukaka sub-counties where the Vice President, Edward Ssekandi, is the area Member of Parliament.

The respective councils of the two sub-counties have passed resolutions to close bars by 10pm following the incidents.  

They have also formed vigilante village groups backed by LCs and the police to start foot patrols.

Addressing opinion and local leaders of Kyesiga at the sub-county council headquarters, Maj Baguma asked the LC leadership in villages to be vigilant on matters of security.

He noted that security laxity in the villages is caused by some LCs that have the perception that their term of office expired.

“When it comes to seeking signatures for passports, business or bank transactions the LCs come out to work very fast and when it comes to matters of security they hide,” he said.

He said in areas where some LC officials died, the residents could appoint responsible people to act in those positions until Government secures funds to set up LC elections.

The Masaka RDC, Owor Odoi said primary investigations related to the murder incidents point to land conflicts.  He said relevant offices that arbitrate land conflicts are available for those with land conflicts. 

“Why should you take people’s lives for the sake of land when our offices are available to help you out?” he wondered.

He said lodges should stop accommodating strangers without identifying them. He said LCs should register all residents and ask relevant documents of new migrants.