The Counter Terrorism forces in conjunction with police have put out of action Yasin Damulira a top planner of the 2021 bomb killings and recovered one submachine gun. The operation was carried out in Mityana.

The forces said that on May 28, 2024, Defence Intelligence Security, during follow-up operations, detected Ddamulira communicating in Mityana. Adding, “On the same night, Counter Terrorism forces and police attempted to arrest Yasin Ddamulira, resulting in a fire exchange and he was finally put out of action and one submachine gun (SMG) was recovered.”

The forces got the whereabouts of Damulira from Musa Kabanda, also known as Akman after his arrest and later established that he was among the top planners. He revealed that he was working closely with Ddamulira, also known as Musubuzi, Abas Sekimpi (currently on remand), and Sulaiman Nsubuga who was arrested on April 27, 2024.  

In the 2021 at least three people were killed and 33 others wounded in twin suicide bombings in Kampala according to police.

One of the explosions was on a street near the parliament building and the other near a police station. The explosion near parliament appeared to hit closer to a building housing an insurance company and the subsequent fire engulfed cars parked outside.

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Mwanga II Magistrates Court has further remanded the five suspects implicated in the killing Ndiga Clan head Daniel Bbosa Lwomwa.

The five suspects include: Noah Lugya, Harriet Nakabale Nakiguli, Ezra Mayanja Ezra, Milly Naluwenda, and Joseph Nakabale.

The group was further remanded to Luzira Prison until July 17.  The prosecution told Magistrate Adams Byaruhanga, that they are still investigating. 

Bbosa was fatally shot on February 25, 2024, by assailants as he was approaching his residence in Kikandwa Zone, Lungujja Parish, Lubaga Division.

The assailants, riding on a motorcycle, opened fire at Bbosa’s motor vehicle, bearing registration number UAH 637X, resulting in his immediate demise.

During the heinous act, a vigilant resident bravely intervened, knocking down the assailants’ motorcycle and alerting the community. Swiftly, members of the community mobilized, leading to a confrontation with the assailants. Mob justice ensued, resulting in the death of one assailant at the scene, while the other remains in critical condition.

Police recovered the firearm allegedly used in the murder incident, along with the motorcycle registration number UEX 754E, used by the assailants during the attack.

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Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament has urged Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) to be decent while delivering services to the citizens, citing that parliament continues to receive complaints about the poor conduct of some of them, particularly those who use excessive force while performing their duties.

“Such behavior is not good for the image of the government and destroys our country’s democratic credentials,” he said.

Tayebwa made these remarks on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, while addressing newly appointed Assistant RDC’s and RCC’s at the National Leadership Training Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, who are undergoing a two-week induction course into their roles and functions.

Tayebwa, whose address was via Zoom, stated that the Office of RDC and RCC plays an important role in the country’s development, but if it is not managed properly, it can become a major impediment to the development of the communities.

Tayebwa also urged the RDCs to work hand in hand with the local and national leaders by holding regular consultations, monitoring and accountability findings, and resolving national and local issues that affect their constituencies

He further stated that the RDC’s have a key role to play in monitoring, communicating, and mobilizing the population to participate in government programmes, while the politicians are key in planning and evenly distributing public resources so that the communities can address their priority needs.

However, he stated that it is critical for RDCss and their assistants to understand the roles and responsibilities that the National Constitution and the Local Government Act (as amended) establish for RDC’s and political leaders.

“These roles were purposefully designed to deepen decentralization and provide an entry point for the central government to support, guide, and enforce accountability in local governments through the RDC’s office,” he added.

He also congratulated them on their appointments, which are enshrined in Article 203 of the Constitution.

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Frank Baine, Uganda Prisons Spokesperson has encouraged officers to take a proactive role in community outreach, highlighting that their actions and interactions significantly influence public perceptions.

He reminded them that they serve as ambassadors of the service and their conduct and communication can positively impact how the community views the UPS’s efforts.

Baine made the remarks in the training which is aimed at enhancing the customer care and public relations skills of the officers, as well as promote community engagement and awareness of Uganda Prisons Service’s activities and initiatives.

He explained that the Uganda Prisons ability to communicate effectively and maintain positive relationships is vital for building trust and support, which is essential for the success of their initiatives.

SCP Frank Baine emphasized the importance of public relations in shaping the image and effectiveness of Uganda Prisons

“Effective communication and maintaining positive relationships with the public and stakeholders are significant for building trust and support, which are essential for the success of rehabilitation and reintegration programs,” Baine said.

Baine further defined the prison terms and aligned them to the context of emphasizing that customers include inmates, staff, visitors, neighboring communities, key stakeholders, supervisors, and families of staff.

“It is important to ensure humane treatment, active listening, and understanding, particularly towards prisoners, who are the primary customers of the prison system,” Baine noted.

He reminded officers to exercise caution, consideration, and humility in their interactions with all customers, promoting a culture of respect and empathy in Uganda Prisons Service.

Frank Baine also highlighted the essential duties of citizens as outlined in the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. He encouraged the officers to embrace and uphold these principles, which are crucial for promoting national development, unity, and the well-being of all citizens. Adding, “By adhering to these duties, citizens can exercise and enjoy their rights and freedoms while contributing to the betterment of the nation.”

Baine noted that Uganda Prisons has undergone significant transformation, stating, “We have shifted from a punitive to a correctional service, with a development goal of transforming every prisoner into a productive and law-abiding citizen,” he explained.

In addition to mindset change, he emphasized the importance of financial literacy among prisons officers. “Money is earned, accumulated, hidden through savings, and multiplied through investments,” he highlighted.

“However, common mistakes such as making no budget, living beyond your means, seeking money miracles, and underestimating the value of small notes can hinder financial progress.”

To counter these mistakes, Mr. Baine stressed that financial discipline is essential for officers. “By capitalizing on the opportunities and benefits available through stability, officers can improve their financial well-being and support the transformation of Uganda Prisons Service,” he concluded.

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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Byakagaba Abbas, has pledged to work towards changing officer mindsets in the provision of safety and security.

Byakagaba said this while assuming office as the IGP at Naguru Police Headquarters.

The former Director for Counter-Terrorism in the Police replaces former IGP Martin Okoth Ochola, who recently retired from the Police Force.

“I know what I am taking over is a very serious responsibility and I recognise it but I am very confident especially looking at my team from the lowest the constable. I am very sure we are going to deliver.” he noted

He said, “This is the time for me to take over. A lot of successes have been mentioned by the outgoing Deputy IGP, and a lot of challenges have been mentioned; therefore, I take cognizance of all those facts. I am energised and strengthened by your presence. I know upwards and down after the constable. I’m going to ensure that we are a very strong team.”

He reassured police officers that they were going to work together and consciously work on our mindset change. We need to change our mindset towards the provision of security, which is a very key ingredient as far as the development of this country is concerned.

“Through our activities, we are going to support the social and economic transformation of this country by contributing to the security, safety, and all of that is enshrined in our Constitution. I am going to have a very serious team. This will mainly be achieved through training and mentoring to ensure that the lowest person knows why he or she is in the Uganda police force and what his or her contributions are,” he said.

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Yusuf Nsibambi (Mawokota South) who doubles as FDC Party Whip has led his Party in appending his signature on the ongoing censure motion intended to recall the four Commissioners from their office over the allocation of Shs1.7Bn in service awards and extra Shs23 million monthly salary but denied having any personal vendetta against any of the accused Commissioners.

The targeted commissioners are Mathias Mpuuga, Solomon Silwany, Prossy Akampurira and Esther Afoyochan.

While addressing journalists after signing the motion, Nsibambi defended his move, saying it is intended to give the accused an opportunity to account to Uganda on how they have been conducting business in Parliament.

“I have appended my signature specifically not condemning the people involved but to call upon them to come and explain to the public. We are accountable to the people; this matter has raised eyebrows and a lot of anxiety and people want information on exactly what happened and the basis of these awards. So, I believe the people involved will get an opportunity to come and explain to the public exactly what is going on,” said Nsibambi.

“I have no personal vendetta against these individuals, I do respect them a lot because they are representatives of the people but I think the public has a right to know exactly how we conduct business in Parliament. Commissioners are our leaders, but they must be accountable to us, the people they lead, if they aren’t satisfied with the way matters are being conducted,” added Nsibambi.

Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County) who is leading the collection of signatures thanked Nsibambi for joining the cause against corruption noting, thank you on behalf of the people of Mawokota County for doing this noble duty. We aren’t after anybody but as Parliament, we should be leading by example in the fight against corruption.”

Additionally, Agnes Taaka (Bugiri DWR) also appended her signature to the censure motion, saying her move is based on the need to have Commissioners account and explain the various allowances they have been drawing as members of the Parliamentary Commission.

Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South) claimed without evidence that many of his colleagues from Acholi are actually running from the village, to come and sign and later move back to their villages noting, “This is the way to go, we shouldn’t be condoning corruption in our country, you can’t allocate funds to yourselves, this is impunity, so we should stop encouraging impunity in this country. Government resources must be used by the taxpayers; you can’t allocate Government funds just to benefit yourself.”

The minister of information and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi has described the process by a section of MPs collecting signatures to censure commissioners of parliament for abuse of office as being healthy since parliament needs to be accountable to the public. His statement comes after her colleague in cabinet Persis Namuganza asked electorates to vote against any minister or MP who would refuse to sign the censure motion.

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