Mukono headmaster succumbs to gunshot wounds at Mulago hospital

Eric Mutasiga. COURTESY PHOTO

Eric Mutasiga, the head teacher of Merry Time Primary School in Mukono District has succumbed to gunshot wounds he sustained in a scuffle as police tried to arrest his neighbour last month.
Mutasiga was hit as he tried to plead with the police officers and LDUs not to shoot a vendor who was found selling chapatti during curfew time. The officers were enforcing COVID-19 control guidelines in Wantoni Village along Mukono-Katosi Road on May 13 2020.

Mutasiga’s wife, Viola Nabatanzi said her husband, who sustained wounds in the thigh and chest breathed his last at Mulago National Referral Hospital on Tuesday night after undergoing surgery. Prior to his death, Mutasiga, pleaded with the government to cater for his medical bills such that he could undergo surgery in vain.

Viola Nabatanzi carrying one of their kids. PHOTO BY JESSICA SABANO


“The officer who shot him was not even arrested. I even don't know where to start from. We have been renting a room in Wantoni. I don't know what to do or tell our kids. All we want is justice for my husband. I call upon government to come to our rescue,” the tearful Nabatanzi explained.
Mukono municipality mayor Mr George Fred Kagimu said the suspects should be taken to court and charged.

He said there are so many mistakes that officers and LDUs have made in the area but nothing is done to deter others from repeating the same mistakes.
"This was made by a police officer. I didn’t expect them to act in such a way. They should have arrested him if they suspected he was a criminal instead of shooting. I reported the case to RDC and DPC Mukono but nothing has been done,” the mayor said.

Mourners at Mutasiga's burial ceremony in Mukono District. PHOTO BY JESSICA SABANO


He said local leaders have been supporting the deceased and his family while he was in hospital but now want government to intervene.
Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, Mr Luke Oweyesigyire said the two officers were arrested and the case was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

“We haven’t received the file back but we suspended the two officers as we continue to investigate," he said.
Mutasiga who was buried on Wednesday in Nakisunga Sub County in Mukono District becomes the seventh person to be killed by law enforcement officers while implementing the COVID-19 preventive guidelines over the last 75 days.