Hospitalized Mamerito in 'stable condition'

KAMPALA - The family of former Kiira Municipality Mayor Mamerito Mugerwa says he is in stable condition at Nakasero Hospital following an attack on him.

Mamerito was admitted early Thursday morning after he was reportedly attacked by unidentified gunmen as he parked his car near his home gate in Kiira division.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima confirmed the incident, saying a team of detectives in Kiira are already investigating the matter.

"He was driving towards his gate when he was attacked," he said.

"He found the assailants near his home. He was also armed. Good enough he overpowered them during the scuffle. One shot at him but didn't get him. The assailants fled, and we are hunting for them. He is right now in hospital at Nakasero."

Several people were blocked from accessing Mamerito at the hospital, with doctors and attendants saying the former mayor needed enough rest to recover from the pain.

A relative only identified as Sandra Musimenta said Mamerito was stabilizing but with a lot of pain.

"He can even talk but has a lot of pain. That is why people have been blocked to avoid any disturbance. He needs to rest."

'Not a bullet'

According to Musimenta, the incident happened at around 1:00am local time Thursday.

"He had just parked his car and as he got out to open his gate, the thugs pounced on him and a scuffle ensued as he tried to fight them," she said.

People in the house heard the alarm he raised and rushed outside, forcing the thugs to take off, she added.

"They found him lying outside bleeding and immediately rushed him to hospital."

A nurse working at the ward said Mamerito sustained an injury on the head.  "He was first taken to the intensive care unit and later transferred to a private ward after assessing his condition.

"We suspect he was hit with a blunt object, not a bullet. His condition is not bad and he will be discharged soon," said the nurse.