PROBE: Kabaka Mutebi Demands For Probe Over Riot Killings

By ROBERT KAMUKAMA

KAMPALA, Uganda|SHIFTMEDIA| The death toll of those killed in the riots protesting arrests of National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi may never be known.

The last time we heard from the police, the numbers were beyond 50. Now the pressure is mounting from local, regional and international foras calling for investigations into the “murders”.

The latest call came from Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II who urged the government to launch an investigation that led to the death of at least 50 people.

The riots were sparked off by the arrest of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine in Luuka on November 18.

The Kabaka also condemned the high handedness of the security forces in quelling the protests. President Museveni first hailed the security forces for containing the riots, though he didn’t commensurate with those who lost their beloved ones, as he addressed locals during his COVID-19 address to the nation on Sunday, November 29, 2020, Museveni seemed calm promising that government would compensate those who were non-rioters, who died in the melee.

He said no one was untouchable including Bobi Wine.

But earlier in the day during this year’s Kabaka Birthday Run held virtually in Lubiri Mmengo, the Kabaka lashed out at security forces for using excessive force.

Kabaka made these remarks before he flagged off the annual Kabaka Birthday run that was held at Lubiri, Mengo on Sunday.

“I would like to tell government that there should be an inquiry into the death of those people,” Kabaka Mutebi said.

The Kabaka compared the November 18 protests to similar protests that happened in Kampala in 1945 where eight people lost their lives and several others were injured.

“Those who know the history of Uganda will know that in 1945, during the colonial period, there were protests around here and 8 people were killed but the government then felt that although only 8 people died, a commission of inquiry was set up to investigate the causes of protests and the deaths,” Kabaka said.

He urged government not to take lightly, the lives of Ugandans that continue to perish in incidents that are unaccounted for.

This year’s Kabaka Birthday Run was under the theme of “Men against AIDS to save the girl child”.

Due to Coronavirus restrictions, only 200 participants were invited into Lubiri although several others participated from their communities around the Buganda Kingdom.

Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga said that although this year’s run did not come with the pomp and fanfare that it has always attracted, Buganda Kingdom is contented that the message the Kabaka wanted to send out was received by his subjects.