The peaceful streets of Lungujja, Rubaga Division, Kampala, were shattered by tragedy as Omutaka Lwomwa Daniel Bbosa, a chief of the Buganda Kingdom, fell victim to a fatal shooting.
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing scene, describing the assailants fleeing the scene on motorcycles, echoing a grim pattern of violence that has plagued Uganda for years.
This method of targeted killings traces its origins back to April 20, 2012, with the assassination of Sheikh Abdul Karim Sentamu, a revered Muslim scholar, on William Street in Kampala. Since then, a disturbing trend has unfolded, marked by motorcycle-riding gunmen targeting prominent figures across various communities and sectors.
Hajji Abubaker Kiweewa met a similar fate two years later, gunned down inside his supermarket in Kyanja. The year 2012 heralded a new era of violence in Uganda, characterized by more than 15 assassinations of Muslim clerics and security officials, each executed with chilling precision.
Among the notable victims were Abdul Kadhir Muwaya, Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga, and Joan Kagezi, whose lives were cut short in a series of targeted attacks. The modus operandi remained consistent: gunmen arriving and departing swiftly on motorcycles, leaving devastation in their wake.
The list of casualties continued to grow with each passing year, claiming the lives of individuals such as Sheikh Abdul Rashid Wafula, Sheikh Hassan Kirya, Maj Muhammad Kiggundu, and Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
These brazen assaults struck at the heart of communities and institutions, leaving families shattered and justice elusive.
Even high-profile figures like Col Ibrahim Abiriga and Assistant Superintendent of Police Muhammad Kirumira were not immune to the ruthless tactics of motorcycle assailants.
Their deaths served as stark reminders of the pervasive threat that loomed over Uganda’s social and political landscape.
The recent tragedy, involving the daughter of Gen Katumba, Brenda Nantongo, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action to address the scourge of motorcycle-related violence.
As communities mourn the loss of yet another cherished member, the call for justice and security echoes louder than ever before, demanding swift and decisive measures to put an end to this senseless bloodshed.
