Museveni Visits Abiriga’s Family, Warns People Who Openly Threaten Violence

President Yoweri Museveni has asked the Minister of Information, Frank Tumwebaze to crack the whip on individuals who openly use radios to threaten violence on others people.

The President warned that such individuals will not get away with it. He was Saturday morning visiting the family of the late Hon. Ibrahim Abiriga in Kawanda, Wakiso district, a day after the legislator and his bodyguard identified as Kongo Buga Saidi (relative) were shot dead while driving home.

Moments after the visit, Museveni said in a tweet that he has observed “indiscipline” on radio where people threaten violence on air and get away with it.

“I have observed creeping indiscipline on radios. People threaten violence on air and just get away with it,” Museveni tweeted.

“The Minister of Information must deal with this,” he directed.

He described Abiriga as an ardent supporter of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party adding that should it be the enemies of the NRM that killed him, “it will expose the risk of fighting NRM”.

“We shall bring these criminals to book. Hon Abiriga was an ardent supporter of the NRM party. If it is the enemies of the NRM who have done this, it will expose the risk of fighting the NRM,” the President said.

He also asked the Police to inform the public about the progress made in investigations and prosecution of suspects involved in other murder cases like that of Hajj Maj Kiggundu.
In March last year, former Police spokesperson, AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi was assassinated together with his bodyguard and driver in Kulabiro, a Kampala suburb in a manner similar to that of Abiriga. However, to this day, the persons responsible for thus gruesome act have not been convicted, prompting the public to question the competency of Police in investigating such serious crimes.

Similarly, Police is yet to apprehend suspects in the assassination of former Senior Principal State, Attorney Joan Kagezi which occurred three years ago. Kagezi was shot dead in Najjera near Ntinda, Kampala while she was driving home.

While the President has reiterated the resolve to hunt down the killers of Abiriga, some Ugandans perceive his statements as nothing but hot air and a regurgitation of assurances.

While speaking at the home of late Abiriga, Museveni also asked the public to take community policing seriously.

“Working with the police, we should have some community volunteers work as local defence forces and help us especially with monitoring the villages,” he said.

Also present was Minister for Internal Affairs, Obiga Kania, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Brig Sabiiti Muzeyi, the Director of CIID, AIGP Rose Akulo, Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, CP Moses Kafeero and some Members of Parliament among others.

A special sitting of Parliament is scheduled to be convened on Sunday where the body of late Abiriga will lie in State.