Security agencies have stated that Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana and his Kawempe North counterpart Muhammad Ssegirinya, are the people who recruited and deployed greater Masaka machete killers that have left close to 30 people dead.
Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, at a joint security media briefing, said Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya are the masterminds of the vicious murders.
Security said that the two MPs who subscribe to country’s newest political party the National Unity Platform –NUP were zeroed on based on admissions of suspects.
Enanga said the legislators recruited youths at meetings held in Ndeeba in Kampala. Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya allegedly took through their recruits into the intentionally designed plans to cause animosity against the elderly person.
“We expect to record statements from two members of parliament that is Hon Ssewanyana and Hon Ssegirinya as the masterminds behind the vicious murders.
We zeroed in on them based on the admissions from the suspects, how they were recruited and promised wealth as a motivating factor and it was under the command of these two politicians that their victims were hacked to death,” Enanga said.
The summonses to Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya were issued on Friday by Commissioner of Police Paul Katto Tumuhimbise on behalf of Criminal Investigations Director AIGP Grace Akullo. The summonses indicated that the duo would interface with detective SSP Moses Taremwa at Masaka police station.
Nevertheless, the two legislators accused the government and security agencies of turning the Masaka City and Lwengo district killings into a political game. Earlier on, President Yoweri Museveni and minister for ICT Dr Chris Baryomunsi had indicated that the killings were being instigated by political actors.
Most of the victims of Masaka City and Lwengo machete killings are the elderly persons aged 50 years and above but living alone in houses.
The victims include Nakato Maria 80 and Nantale Joyce 70 who was killed alongside her 6-year-old granddaughter Birungi Barbra and Kirembwe Henry 81.
Lt Col Ronald Kakurungu, the deputy Army Spokesperson, said they have established joint operations as security agencies led by Uganda police force to ensure no more machete killings occur in greater Masaka and ensure all culprits are arrested.
“We want to ensure we continue picking more information but also to de-escalate the threats, bring confidence to the people, continue operations,” Lt Col Kakurungu said. “We want to continue to appeal for calmness by people in greater Masaka, that situation has been contained.”
Police, UPDF, Crime Intelligence have so far arrested 78 suspects in connection to Greater Masaka machete murders. At least 12 suspects have already been charged in court while 11 others are expected to arraigned to court by close of business.
