President Museveni has directed Police to stop using mobile phones and reinstate the use of radio calls to fight crime in the country. The president said this during the State of the Nation address at Kololo Independence grounds.
Museveni said the use of radio calls was abandoned during the reign of the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen Kale Kayihura.
“Police abandoned the use of radio calls. They are now using mobile phones. Police doesn’t work that way, it works on a network. Attempt on Gen Katumba Wamala’s life showered poor organisation of police,” he said.
Gen Katumba was on Tuesday shot at by unknown gunmen who were riding on motor bikes along Kisota road in Kisaasi. The incident left both his daughter Brenda Nantongo Wamala and his driver Kayondo Haruna dead.
“The swallow actors (assailants) who I called pigs showered poor organisation of Police as you saw. Why didn’t the police chase the killers? Those cameras are not only meant to record pictures for forensic use. They are meant to alert the entire police officers on the network to take swift action,” he said adding that “Why didn’t you send in officers?”
The president blamed the officers who were manning the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) command center saying they saw everything happening but continued to sit in the office. Yesterday, Eagle Online learnt that the officers in question were arrested.
He revealed that the guns used to attack the former Commander of Defence Forces (CDF) were the same guns used in the gruesome gun down of the Muhammad Kiggundu, Muhamad Kirumira, Principal State Attorney Joan Kagezi and other people who lost their lives at the hands of gunmen.
So far there are 14 prominent people who have lost their lives at the hand of gun wielding assailants and these include; Previous cases
Muhammad Kirumira: The former Buyende District Police Commander (DPC) was killed alongside his friend Resty Nalinya at Bulenge Trading Centre, Wakiso District, on September 8, 2018.
Andrew Felix Kaweesi: The former police spokesperson was assassinated in Kulambiro, Kampala alongside his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver Geoffrey Wambewo on March 17, 2017.
Joan Kagezi: The former senior state prosecutor was gunned down in Kiwatule, Kampala on March 30, 2015. However, no suspect has ever been arrested to date.
Sheikh Maj Muhammad Kiggundu: He was gunned down together with his bodyguard Sgt Steven Mukasa in Masanafu, Rubage Division, on November 26, 2016.
In February, the Director of Prosecutions (DPP) Justice Frances Abodo withdrew terrorism charges against 11 people who were accused of killing the late Kiggundu.
Ibrahim Abiriga: The former Arua Municipality MP was shot dead alongside his brother Saidi Buga Kongo in Kawanda, Wakiso District on June 8, 2018. No suspects has been arrested or charged to date.
Sheikh Ibrahim Hassan Kirya: The former spokesperson of the Kibuli Muslim faction was gunned down in Bweyogerere, Wakiso District, on June 30, 2015.
Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga: He was gunned down at Bwebajja Mosque on Entebbe Road on December 25, 2014.
Sheikh Muhammad Maganda: He was gunned down in Bugiri Town in August 2012.
Hussein Jjunju: He was gunned down in Ssembabule District in 2012.
Sheikh Abdul Karim: He was gunned down on Willliam Street Kampala on April 20, 2012.
Abubaker Kiweewa: He was gunned down in Kyanja, Kampala, on June 25, 2012.
Sheikh Ismail Ssebugwawo: He was gunned down at Mulago in January 2015.
Abdul Kadiri Muwaya: He was gunned down on Christmas Day in 2014 in Mayuge District.
