Ugandans woke up to mixed reactions over the Saturday night shooting incident in which blogger Ibrahim Tusuubira Lubega popularly known as Isma Olaxes or Jaja Ichuli, was gunned down in Kyanja on his way back home. 

Several leaders eulogised him and described him as a fearless commentator, urging security agencies to ensure his killers were brought to book while some in the opposition castigated him.   

Isma's body arrives at his parents home

Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the First Son and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, on Sunday morning, mourned the late blogger who closely worked with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, especially during the 2021 general elections, describing him as a fearless commentator on national issues. 

Muhoozi urged law enforcement agencies to quickly investigate the shooting and find those behind the murder to be brought to justice. 

Relatives receive Isma's body

“I am very saddened to hear about the brutal killing of our compatriot Ibrahim Tusubira, aka Isma Olaxes. He was an outspoken and fearless commentator on national issues. I urge all law enforcement agencies to quickly find those behind his murder and bring them to justice,” Muhoozi said in a tweet. 

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, condemned the manner in which the renowned blogger was killed and called upon the Police to ensure the culprits are brought to book. 

“I condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric act of taking human life in cold blood. Such actions have no place in our Nation and must not be tolerated. I call upon the police to ensure the culprits are brought to book. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. May Allah forgive you all your shortcomings and grant you Jannah. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and the Uganda Bloggers Association in this trying moment,” Among said on Twitter. 

National Unity Platform president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, lamented how the blogger was murdered in cold blood and said just like the many unresolved murders, no one is safe in the country regardless of political affiliation. 

“…what is clear to all of us, regardless of your political affiliation, is that in a sinking boat, there are no winners. Whenever we complain about armed REGIME operatives dressed in civilian clothes causing mayhem, abducting or even killing our people, the same REGIME apologists say we’re politicising things,” Kyagulanyi said. 

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) said, “We are deeply saddened by the news of the murder of Isma, by gunmen last night. It is truly heartbreaking to hear about such senseless violence and loss of life. We believe that taking and giving life is the sole prerogative of God and that no human being, regardless of their position in society or political affiliation, has the right to take the life of another.” 

The party said the perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions. 

“Violence only begets more violence, and we all must take responsibility for creating a safer and more peaceful Uganda. There is a need to end this gun rule. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones and we stand with them in their grief and sorrowful moments.” 

Cartoonist Jim Spire Ssentongo said it was sad Isma died like that. 

“It’s not easy to grieve him, but I do. He celebrated the killing and torture of others. But I still want to think that he was a hungry man not so reflective on how far the search for ‘food’ should go. He should’ve lived to know that violence is unsustainable,” Ssentongo said. 

Kakwenza Rukirabashaija the writer and critic who lives in exile said, “Death is so brutal. It doesn’t spare masters of brutality nor does it plead with them. It comes and vanishes with you. The next day’s maggots will be squirming