Masaka murders: Museveni expected in region

President Museveni is expected to visit Masaka today. File photo

President Yoweri Museveni is Wednesday expected to visit the greater Masaka region where police Chief Kale Kayihura has camped to investigate the numerous murders of several residents in Bukomansimbi and Lwengo districts on January 1.

Five people including a retired police officer were killed and 12 others are nursing injuries after being attacked and hacked by attackers between midnight and 2am as Ugandans were welcoming the year 2018.

The attackers armed with guns, pangas and clubs moved to different villages of Kiryasaaka in Kkingo Sub-county in Lwengo District, Kisojjo, Kyabagoma and Kyamabaale in Kibinge Sub-county in Bukomansimbi District robbing and hacking people.

Those killed include SSP Denis Ssebugwawo Lumala, a retired police officer who was hacked several times on the head.

Others are Jane Nantale, John Sseremba and Gonzaga Kayemba and another unidentified man. All these were killed in Kisojjo, Kyabagoma and Kiryasaaka. All these villages are neighbouring each other.

Ssebugwawo's daughter, 15-year-old Nancy Nambuya, is nursing head injuries injuries at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.

According to Police Spokesperson Emilian Kayima, the IGP Kale Kayihura is camped in the area to spearhead the operations against the assailants. He says the IGP visited each of the affected families and has pledged to bring the culprits to book.

 Gen Kayihura has been in the area since January 1 and is expected to spend more days in the area to spearhead the investigations of the murders. The attacks are part of the numerous unresolved killings that have rocked the region for a long period.

Last year, at least 30 people were killed in similar circumstances and up to 50 others were hospitalised in Lwengo, Rakai, Kalungu and Masaka districts.

Police arrested

Masaka attacks: Police stuck with 180 suspects

According to police, the cases of crime have reduced in the past months, but residents claim police are arresting the wrong suspects.

although no one has been successfully prosecuted.