Uganda’s Works and Transport Minister, General Edward Katumba Wamala, has spoken out after the attempt on his life by unknown assailants which ended the life of his 32-year-old daughter and driver.Gen. Katumba survived with gunshot wounds while his daughter, Brenda Nantongo Katumba and driver, Kayondo Haruna, died on the spot when suspected assassins attacked them on Tuesday, June 1.
The assailants on three motorcycles with concealed number plates and wearing masks, had trailed Katumba’s official vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser Reg. No. H4DF 2138 from his home at Bulabira in Najeera to Kisota Road in Kulambiro where they intercepted them.
Brenda recently returned from the US, where she pursued a Masters in Public Health from Savanah University in Atlanta. She then took up a job at the army hospital in Bombo, where she worked until her murder on Tuesday June 1.
In a statement posted on his Twitter handle on Wednesday, June 2, the former army commander narrated that “some terrorists” tried to assassinate him while en route to his mother-in-law’s vigil.
“I survived, but my dear daughter Brenda Nantongo Katumba and my driver Kayondo Haruna died at the crime scene. There was no reason to end the lives of these innocent people. May their souls rest in peace,” he wrote.
“My injuries are not alarming. I had surgery last evening, and one of the bullets was removed. However, because of how the other bullet affected my arteries, it was not removed, and the doctors will advise on the way forward
“I would like in a special way to thank the Boda Boda man who forced me on his motorcycle so that I can go and get first aid. In the same spirit, I would thank Malcolm Healthcare Kisaasi for everything they did to stop the bleeding. That first aid helped so much,” the General said.
Gen Katumba also thanked President Museveni for the care he has shown him all through: “His phone calls are some of the reasons I am still fighting on.”
“I want to thank all Ugandans for the love and messages you have been sending my way. I promise to keep fighting for my life. I pray that one day soon, the terrorists that tried to assassinate me and took the lives of my daughter Brenda and driver Haruna will be brought to book. For God and my Country,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that one of the gun men was reportedly shot in the leg by Gen Katumba’s bodyguard, Sgt. Khalid Koboyoit, but managed to take off.
The suspects have not yet been identified. However, President Museveni said security already have clues to the killers but didn’t disclose the details.
