Ugandans have powered out their grief in the wake of tragic news regarding the gruesome killing of Arua Municipality MP, Ibrahim Abiriga.
Abiriga together with his UPDF bodyguard were shot and assassinated on Friday evening by yet to be known assailants in Kawanda in Wakiso district.
Read More: TRAGIC: Arua Municipality MP, Abiriga, Bodyguard Shot Dead
Witnesses told the press that the shooters were traveling on a boda boda and that the shooting lasted about 5 minutes.
The news about the death of the legislator has sparked emotions of grief and shock among politicians and members of the public who took to social media to regret the incident.
Opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye described the incident as tragic.
“Tragic! Uganda’s insecurity affects upper and bottom ranks of society equally and brutally! Security systems are clearly dysfunctional. A new start necessary,” Besigye tweeted moments after the incident.
“My thoughts and prayers go to Hon Abiriga’s family, relatives and friends,” he said.
The Minister for Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), Frank Tumwebaze said: “Disturbing reports are reaching us that Hon Abiriga Ibrahim has been shot dead. We await confirmation by the Police which has swiftly moved to the area. We stand with his family in this trying moment”.
The institution of Parliament where Abiriga has been working as an MP also sent its condolences to the family of the deceased.
“Parliament has learnt and confirms that Hon Ibrahim Abiriga, MP Arua Municipality has been shot dead at Kawanda. The Parliamentary Commission sends it condolences to his family, constituents and the country at large. May his soul rest in peace. RIP Abiriga,” a tweet by Parliament read.
The Parliament Twitter account further wrote that Speaker Rebecca Kadaga had learnt with shock of the shooting and death, and that she sends her condolences to the family.
Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago said Abiriga’s death was horrible.
“Oh my God! Horrible!! Whatever is happening in my motherland Uganda! I’m speechless,” Lukwago said in a tweet.
Bulisa MP, Mukitale said: “I greeted Abiriga at 2 pm today at the stairs of Parliament. One thing I would like to ask; you disbanded the Flying Squad and crime preventors, where are their guns? All sorts of people have guns, boda bodas, taxi men”.
Many individuals on social media seemed shocked about the incident wondering why anybody could particularly want Abiriga dead.
Police officers have already been deployed at the scene of crime to conduct investigations on possible causes of the death.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that Abiriga was killed together with another person. He said that the Police scene of crime officers, those attached to the general duties and field force units are present at the scene.
