Museveni narrates how former boxing champion Zebra was killed

This photo handout taken on an unspecified date, shared on deceased boxer Zebra Mando Ssenyange's social media platforms shows him in action during a boxing match at an unspecified venue. PHOTO/FILE/COURTESY/FACEBOOK VIA Zebra Mando Ssenyange. 

What you need to know:

  • When I heard of the death of Isaac Ssenyange lias Mando Zebra, a former Bombers Captain, I telephoned his wife and she narrated to me the events. Zebra was meant to meet me, he was an NRM supporter who was doing so much for us.

President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday said he is still investigating circumstances under which former national boxing champion Isaac Ssenyange alias Zebra Mando was shot and killed by security personnel he deployed to hunt for people he said were being used by the opposition politicians to cause havoc in Kampala and other surrounding areas.

In his televised New Year’s message, Mr Museveni on Thursday evening said he had deployed in Kampala highly trained soldiers who had been fighting Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels at the DR Congo border and Al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia.

“This is because of the weakness of police. These units (soldiers) started operating around Kampala and other areas. They were able to deal with some hard core criminals who had turned some parts of Kampala a no-go area. On December 24, the same unit operated around Nakivubo channel which had become a no-go area for police. These are operations against people who are misled by corrupt, weak police and violent politicians,” Mr Museveni said before apologizing for Ssenyange’s death which he said was due to the reckless and violent conduct of some opposition leaders, especially in National Unity Platform (NUP).

Below is museveni’s account of how the boxer was killed;

I did not know Zebra. I was however, told he was supposed to meet me because he was doing some good work for us (mobilising for NRM in Kawempe division). He had even taken Covid-19 test. I was also told he was training boxers who then would be used by some people to attack civilians.

Later on when I inquired, I was told that Zebra was doing a great job (mobilizing for NRM in Kawempe). I, however, got some information on how some of the people he trained were being used to cause havoc.

The security people had gone to take in Zebra and do some inquiry. Unfortunately when they got to the house (at around 12am) they knocked and they wanted people inside to open for them but they did not open. The wife later opened as security people were trying to force their way in.

According to the wife, Zebra was in the sitting room when the security people arrived but instead of opening he went outside through the back door. She (wife) opened for the soldiers. They entered but Zebra had gone. Apparently he climbed over the fence and went somewhere, a distance away from his house. The wife and the son cooperated with the security. After climbing over the fence, Zebra bumped into another security team (which was part of the one he left at his house). The soldiers involved say when they tried to stop him he refused to stop.

They told me he tried to fight them and that is how they ended up shooting him twice. That’s where there is a controversy I do not get well. I’m going to investigate elements surrounding his shooting.

The security people informed me when they heard I had started involving myself (investigating the case).

This is all due to the reckless conduct of some opposition leaders. Everywhere I go, I’m told these people are threatening civilians; that they are intimidating them not to vote for NRM.

When I heard of his death, I telephoned his wife and she narrated to me the events. Zebra was meant to meet me, he was an NRM supporter who was doing so much for us.

I am very sorry, so sorry about this. I will bring my entire findings to the knowledge of the family. I am very sorry