Opposition politicians in Uganda have condemned heartless actions by unidentified assassins who attempted to assassinate former minister for works and transport and also former Chief of the defence forces Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala on Tuesday.
Unidentified assassins travelling on Boda Boda on Tuesday June 1st attacked and gunneddown a car inwhich Gen. Katumba was travelling near to his home at Kisota Road, Kulambiro Kisaasi in Kampala killing his daughter Brendah Nantongo and a driver Haruna Kayondo on spot. Katumba however survived with bullet injuries in both arms and was rushed to Medipal hospital for treatments.
Opposition politicians have since blamed the attempts on a state of insecurity in the country and are so pessimistic that assassination of this nature are not yet to end.
The National Unity Platform principal, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has revealed that no one is safe and therefore Ugandans should see this reality.
“NO ONE IS SAFE! This is the painful reality that all Ugandans must open their eyes to.” Kyagulanyi said in a condolence message on his Facebook page.
My condolences to the family of Gen. Katumba and the family and we hope that he gets well soon,” he said.
He further noted that the attempts reflects high levels of indiscriminate lawlessness affecting both “Omuntu wa Wansi” and those holding powers.
“The assassination attempt on Gen. Katumba Wamala which left his daughter and driver killed in cold blood is another indication that lawlessness does not only affect common citizens but also high ranking members of society,” he said.
Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, former President of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) who does not differ from Kyagulanyi described the attempts not as ordinary acts noting that violence will continue to prevail unless the country deploys a fair system that works for all Ugandans.
“Clearly these are not ordinary criminal acts. Violence and instability will continue to cripple our country until we realise the fundamental importance of having social, political and economic systems that are fair and works for all Ugandans.” Besigye explained.
In his condolence message to the bereaved families, Besigye appealed to Gen. Katumba and Ugandans of goodwill to work for a change.
“Ugandans of goodwill including Gen. Katumba (when he recovers) must urgently work for a fundamental change of direction in our country,” he urged.
Least and soft spoken soldier turned politician Gen. Mugisha Muntu, the President of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) expressed grief for the ntimely death of Katumba’s daughter Brendah Nantongo and driver Haruna Kayondo.
“It is a terrible thing for a parent to lose a child, much less in such brutal fashion.” Gen. Muntu mourning.
He added that the assassination attempts are part of the State of insecurity which cannot be thought of in isolation.
“While it is difficult to say, it must be said nevertheless, that this assassination attempt is a continuation of a trend that appears to have taken root in our country. Moreover, these assassination attempts cannot be thought of in isolation. They are a part of a much larger state of insecurity in the country.” reads parts of a statement by ANT.
General Katumba survived the assassination on Tuesday as he was leaving his home in Najjeera, Wakiso District. In the same assassination attempt, his driver Haruna Kayondo and his daughter Nantongo Brenda died instantly. The bodyguard Khalid Koboyoit however, survived with no injuries.
Police has since released CCTV footages of men suspected to be behind the assassination attempts pending investigation.
