Priest asks state to expedite Kaweesi murder probe
Priests lead relatives and friends in prayer at the grave of Kaweesi in Kyazanga on Saturday. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER KISEKKA
LWENGO- Uganda Police Spokesperson Emilian Kayima faced a hard time at the memorial mass of the late Andrew Felix Kaweesi, the former Assistant Inspector General of the force, when a Roman Catholic priest added his voice to the family, to demand a report about the slain officer.
On March 17, 2017, Kaweesi, his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver Godfrey Wambewa were killed in Kulambiro, Nakawa Division, Kampala.
Hundreds of people including friends, politicians, security officers and family members on Saturday converged at the home of the fallen officer at Kitwekyanjovu village in Kyanzanga Sub-county, Lwengo District for the a memorial mass.
Masaka Diocesan Secretary for Education Rev Fr John Fisher Kiyimba who led the mass invoked memories of Kaweesi’s legacy that was characterised by generous contribution to the church and society.
In his homily, Fr Kiyimba said that besides his closest relatives, many people who benefited from the Kaweesi’s life are still in grief and frustration given the delayed release of a comprehensive report about his murder.
“The mood of the congregation suggests that many people still cry and have many unanswered questions a year after the brutal murder. Let me pray that we are going to be availed with a detailed report about the incident,” Fr Kiyimba said.
He, however, asked family members and friends to forgive Kaweesi’s unknown killers.
“Just like what Pope John Paul II did when he forgive a man who shot him, we should borrow a leaf and forgive whoever did it,” Fr Kiyimba said.
However, some of the family members told the priest that they can neither forgive nor forget. “Before forgiving the killers, we would like to know what their motive was and unless they say sorry… [we cannot forgive them],” Mr Vincent Kaetana, a relative of Kaweesi said.
After the mass, Mr Kayima, told the congregation that police and other agencies are making progress in investigating the murder but it is too early to give a detailed report.
“After a year, people may think that it’s too long yet these cases have not even taken off in court. The suspects and evidence that we have cannot not be discussed because we have to protect the investigators,” Mr Kayima said.
Mr Kayima said criminal justice is not as swift as the anticipation and expectation of those who lose their beloved ones.
He said investigations took different shapes but they [police and other agencies] have on several occasions updated the public through the media.
“The family and friends are still hurt but our message is that everything will be done to find the perpetrators and actors. They will be brought to justice whether tomorrow or the other day,” he said.
