President Yoweri Museveni has vowed to crackdown on criminal elements who have made it a habit to murder innocent Ugandans. He said that security agencies will work closely with the public to apprehend perpetrators of such killings.
The President on Wednesday visited families of four people who were attacked and killed by unknown assailants during the New Year’s night celebrations in Bukomansimbi district in Greater Masaka.
The killers exploited the loud excitement of the new year at midnight to raid homes and gruesomely killed their targets.
Among the killed was a 63-year-old retired police officer, SSP Dennis Sebugwawo Lumala, John Bosco Sseremba, 15, Gonzaga Kayemba, 23, Jane Nantale, 41, and an unidentified man suspected to be one of the attackers.
Eight other people are reported to have been injured in the same incidents, according to Police.
Museveni said “i am saddened by these deaths but we have got clues and we shall catch the attackers”, adding that “we are going to work with the public to fight crime” the same way the NRM fought wars including the disarmament of the Karimajong who had 40,000 guns.
He reiterated his previous pledge to have CCTV cameras installed in major towns and along roads so as to curb crime.
“In one of the homes that was attacked, they had cameras and saw the criminals. Therefore we shall install cameras in towns and on major roads,” the President said.
He warned criminals that “attackers will be killed”.
“They think that they will kill people but they will not be killed. It is a false belief”.
Greater Masaka has previously witnessed spates of murders by machete wielding criminals who dropped leaflets containing threatening messages to their targets. Critics have faulted Police for failing to deal with such criminality given the rampant inconclusive investigations.
But the President gave assurance that the installation of CCTV cameras will hasten the process of investigations.
He proposed that suspects of murder be denied bail.
President Museveni was accompanied by the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura who has been camping in the area since the incidents occurred.
At the burial of the former senior Police officer on Tuesday, Kayihura assured mourners that the police and other security agencies will hunt the criminals in the region and bring them to book.
