MASAKA- Fear has engulfed residents of Kyabakuza Division in Masaka Municipality as assailants descended on three villages in the wee hours of the night, robbed and injured six residents.
The thugs attacked Kyabakuza A, Kyabakuza B and Kyabakuza Trading Centre on Friday morning leaving residents terrified.
“We had never experienced such an attack in this area and we have been hearing of such attacks in remote areas of Sembabule and Bukomansimbi,” Mr Kabuza said.
The severely wounded residents, currently in critical conditions include Saidati Namugerwa, Dorothy Nassaazi, Malik Ntale, Prossy Nalubega and Mansoor Kizito who were admitted at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.
Daily Monitor has learnt that the gang, armed with machetes, axes, and other sharp objects, had earlier on distributed letters warning the residents of the imminent attack.
The said letters which were thrown on the road in Kyabakuza Trading Centre, asked residents to reserve at least Shs20,000 per household which money would be picked by the authors or their agents.
Ms Diana Nandawula, the Southern Region Police spokesperson, confirmed the attacks saying police has arrested two suspects whose names were not disclosed.
Ms Nandawula said a joint security team comprising the police Flying Squad, Uganda People’s Defense Force from the Amoured Brigade has been initiated to restore sanity in the area.
Recent attacks
Incidents of thugs attacking homes have been common in neighbouring Bukomansimbi District and according to police records, thugs have attacked villages in Butenga, Kitanda and Kibinge, in the district.
Surprisingly, in some of the attacks the thugs have not stolen anything from their victims apart from stabbing them.
There have similar in Lwengo and Sembabule districts, prompting police to arrest a group of more than 40 people. Some of the suspects are still on remand.
President Museveni’s warning
The latest attacks come barely two days after President Museveni vowed to end both rural and urban terrorism.
The President who was visiting the area tasked the regional police commander, Mr Latif Zaake, to account for the reckless attacks and killings in the region.
©Alleastafrica and Daily Monitor
