Protestors block Masaka –Mutukula road over release of murder suspects

Masaka -Mutukula –Bukoba road was closed for several hours by residents who were protesting the release of murder suspects. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER KISEKKA

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Early this month, police arrested two suspects after machete- wielding assailants attacked two villages of Kabonera A and Kabonera B, killed two people and left several others injured.

MASAKA. Residents of Kabonera Town on Thursday blocked Masaka -Mutukula –Bukoba highway protesting the release of suspects in a recent attack which left two people dead and three others injured.
The angry residents burnt old tyres in the middle of the road thus paralyzing traffic for several hours. The road is currently busy since many traders with cargo from countries like China are now using the Dar es salaam Port, Tanzania due to the uncertainty in Kenya following botched general elections.
Police from Masaka Central Police Station fired live bullets to disperse the protesters.

Early this month, police arrested two suspects after machete- wielding assailants attacked two villages of Kabonera A and Kabonera B, killed two people and left several others injured.
During the attack, the assailants killed Godfrey Mujumba and Ali Kulabako.
Other residents who were injured in the attack are Kabonera Sub-county National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairman, Mr Vincent Muwonge, a one Mukasa and another resident who was only identified as Ibra.

They are still receiving treatment at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.
Ms Christiane Nakidde ,a resident of Kabonera B Village says it was unfair for police to release the suspects yet there is enough evidence pinning them.

“ There is evidence that the suspects are the ones who killed our people. They left one of their mobile telephones at the video library ,” she said.
Alex Ssenfuka, another resident says they will continue with their demonstration until police gives them a clear explanation why the suspects were released.

Masaka deputy Resident District Commissioner Joseph Ssekasamba ,who rushed to the scene, said although the residents had a right to express their disillusionment with the release of the suspects, they were not supposed to close the highway.
“This highway is very important to our country as it handles many goods from Tanzania and we don’t want traffic to be interrupted in any way,’ he said.

Mr Ssekasamba said the suspects were taken to court and they might have secured bail.