Tension rises in Masaka as number of missing guns increases

Story by Farish Magembe

Police and other security agencies in greater Masaka have expressed concern at the increasing number of missing guns in the region. At least six guns have been stolen in the last three months in Masaka.

Uganda Police Force itself has lost four guns, an additional gun was stolen from a Uganda People's Defence Forces soldier and the last gun was stolen from a guard working with a private security company.

Kyotera District Police Command (DPC) SP Musa Kayongo claimed he lost his gun after two men dressed in military fatigues. The men approached SP Kayongo and claimed to be Special Forces Comand (SFC) who needed to borrow his weapon. The men disappeared with the gun. The other two police officers claim their guns were stolen from their homes.

The UPDF soldier was killed in the July 2018 Muto Hardware robbery and his gun taken. The last gun was stolen from a security guard at a water pumping station in Lwengo.

After the arrest of Musa Galiwanga, Moses Kidawalime and their accomplices who were behind the machete attacks, residents were hoping for a more secure Masaka. However, the disappearance of the guns has now raised fears residents could be attacked by gun welding gangs.

The greater Masaka police spokesperson, Mr Lameck Kigozi has now appealed to the public to report any persons they see with guns who are not mandated to have the firearms.

Jude Mbabaali, the Masaka LC V chairman, says government should set up an investigative committee to establish who is behind the spate of killings in greater Masaka.

A visit to Muto Hardware found a terrified workforce who are unsure of their security after a fellow worker was killed along with the guard during the attack.

In April this year police launched a joint operation titled Dumisha Usalam meaning maintaining peace with all other security agencies.