Police arrest 20 over attacking mourners at ex-MP Matovu’s burial
Kituuma said a group of political activists, allegedly opposed to the presence of National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters, attacked mourners they perceived to be aligned with the ruling party.
Kituuma said the violence occurred during Matovu’s burial, where mourners from different political backgrounds had gathered to pay their last respects. (Credit: X/@NUP_Ug)
WAKISO - Police have arrested 20 people accused of attacking mourners during the burial of former Busiro South Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Matovu, during which the Kibuku legislator, Herbert Kinobere, was targeted.
The suspects, who reportedly pelted MP Kinobere with stones during the burial of Matovu at his ancestral home in Kungu-Lutale along Nakawuka Road in Wakiso district on Sunday (October 25), are in police custody and will be arraigned before court, according to police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma. Matovu was a member of the National Unity Platform.
Addressing a press conference on Monday (October 26) at Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, Kituuma said the violence occurred during Matovu’s burial, where mourners from different political backgrounds had gathered to pay their last respects.
The attackers reportedly deflated the tyres of MP Kinobere’s vehicle and pelted several mourners with stones.
Police intervened and pursued the suspects as some mourners fled the scene, resulting in the arrest of 20 people.
“You cannot say that ordinary people of a particular political alignment are not allowed to attend a burial. That arrangement is not okay,” Kituuma said. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Kituuma condemned the violence, urging members of the public to respect mourners regardless of their political affiliation.
“You cannot say that ordinary people of a particular political alignment are not allowed to attend a burial. That arrangement is not okay,” Kituuma said.
He warned that political affiliation would not shield individuals from prosecution, saying those involved in criminal acts would be held personally accountable.
“When you commit these offences, you commit them as individuals. You may think that you are representing a political constituency, but the law isolates you as an individual,” he said.
Kituuma urged the public to refrain from violence, intimidation and destruction of property, emphasising that everyone should be free to attend burials without being subjected to political harassment.