Police and military investigators have started profiling all residents living in the stretch where the former Chief of Defense Forces-CDF, General Katumba Wamala survived an assassination. Unidentified gunmen intercepted Gen. Katumba’s vehicle registration number H4DF 2138 along Kisota road in Kisaasi.
They sprayed Katumba’s vehicle with bullets killing his daughter, Brenda Wamala Nantongo, and driver, Haruna Kayondo on the spot while the General escaped with gunshot wounds to his shoulders. Hours after the shooting, police and military investigators are still trying to figure out what happened before, during and after the attack.
As part of the investigations, military and police investigators are profiling residents from Mariam high school up to where Kisota road joins Bukoto-Kisaasi road. The investigators are recording particulars of the residents including their name, age, telephone contact, place of origin and when they settled in the area. They are also trying to establish where the residents were during the morning of the attack.
However, the officers are finding a hard time since some of the residents have deserted their homes while others are resistant to share any information. “Since yesterday different groups of security people are asking us the same information. We have already shared it but they come again and again. We are not telling you anything this time,” one of the residents whose residence is near the crime scene told the investigators.
Zainabu Namuwaya, another resident leaving a few meters from the crime scene shared the same sentiments, saying they are tired of the endless interrogations. “At times you cannot even tell who is who and who is coming from where. They don’t even introduce themselves. They just start questioning you. Do you live here? What’s your name,” she told our reporter before another group of plain-clothed officers approached her.
“But who are you guys?” She asked them after asking her a series of questions as our journalist looked on. “Didn’t your Chairperson tell you anything?” one of the officers replied as he beckoned the LC I chairperson to introduce them. “These are also police officers. Kindly answer their questions. Please don’t be irritated. They will ask a few questions,” the LC I told the resident.
A moment after their departure, another group of military officers led by Major General Steven Sabiiti Muzeyi, the former Deputy Inspector-General of Police also approached the residents in this neighbourhood. Muzeyi is currently the general manager of Luwero Industries, a subsidiary of the National Enterprise Corporation. It is unclear what role he is playing in the investigations.
Unlike other security officers, Maj. Gen. Muzeyi first introduced himself to the residents and briefly questioned Faizol Ssali, whose employee was shot in the attack. “Did you see the attackers? Can you identify them? What route did they take after the shooting? Have seen the video (released by police)?” were some of the questions he asked. Ssali said that he didn’t see much as he was running to save his life.
“Even my friend was shot when we were running to hide. I kept inside until the bullets stopped,” Ssali replied before Maj. Gen. Muzeyi and his team proceeded to the scene. Meanwhile, security has maintained heavy deployment in the area and sealed off Kisota road for motorists and pedestrians.
