Basalirwa supporter shot at rally buried

BUGIRI. A supporter of Jeema party candidate for the Bugiri Municipality parliamentary seat, who was shot at a rally on Thursday, was laid to rest on Friday.
Ramanthan Walyendo, 30, who passed away on Friday morning at Bugiri Hospital, succumbed to gunshot wounds he sustained on Thursday at a rally on Saza Road in Bugiri Municipality.
He was buried at Bukaye-Bukuda Village, Kapyanga Sub-county in Bugiri District.
Mr Asuman Basalirwa, the Jeema party candidate in the Bugiri Municipality MP race, set for next Friday, said he has gathered enough evidence to indict the trigger-happy police officer who he said shot his supporter-cum bodyguard.
He said the deceased was seated by his side, suggesting the shooter could have targeted him.
But the Busoga East police spokesperson, Mr James Mubi, said investigations into the matter are underway. He said police will prosecute the officer once it is proved he acted out of negligence.
The deceased, who doubled as a boda boda rider at Namutumba Stage, was on Thursday shot around 4.30pm as police battled a group of Basalirwa’s supporters who were set for a rally at Busoga University playgrounds.
Walyendo was hit in the chest as a group of Basalirwa’s supporters engaged the police and was rushed to First Line Medical Centre within the municipality, before he was transferred to Bugiri Hospital in critical condition.
Mr Basalirwa promised to follow up the matter and ensure the police officer who shot his supporter is arrested and prosecuted. He warned police against indulgence in violence, adding that Ugandans have freedom of movement and association.
But Mr Mubi blamed Basalirwa’s supporters for throwing stones at police officers who were assigned to ensure no rally is held at Busoga University playgrounds.