PRESS RELEASE
IGP CONDEMNS MURDER OF SENIOR POLICE OFFICER
It is with deep sorrow that | announce the tragic death of Assistant
Inspector General of Police (AIGP), Andrew Felix Kaweesi, the Director
Human Resource Development/ Police Spokesperson, which occurred
this morning, a few minutes after 0900 hrs, at Tuba village, Nakawa
Division, in Kampala District. The senior police officer was shot and
killed, a short distance away from his home together with his body
guard, No. 47113 Cpl Erau Kenneth, and driver, No. 60587 C/Drv
Mambewa Godfrey, by yet to be identified gunmen on a bodaboda
motorcycle. We have not yet established whether they were two or
three gunmen.
The assailants on the boda boda trailed him for some distance from his
home, and while in motion, first fired shots in the air, and then shot at
his police vehicle reg. no. UP 4778, through the hind windscreen, and
at the tyres, deflating them. They then showered the vehicle with
bullets both through the sides and into the vehicle killing the three
occupants. The thugs then fled in the direction of Kisasi Trading Centre
on their motorcycle.
The late AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi, was a very able, patriotic,
professional and reliable officer, who has left his mark on the force,
leaving a vacuum that will be hard to fill. Let me, on behalf of the
entire police force, as well as my own behalf and that of my family,
extend our most heartfelt condolences to the families of our fallen
comrades.Let me, also, on behalf of the Uganda Police express appreciation to H.E
the President, who, immediately, on learning of the murder of AIGP
Felix Kaweesi, sent a message of condolence, condemnation of the
killing and reassurance to the country and the world that in spite of this
tragic incident, the country’s security is robust and will be further
enhanced. In particular, the decision to procure and install CCTV
cameras in the City, all major towns and along the highways will greatly
assist us to fight and defeat these thugs.
We should point out, however, that, while we appreciate this
development, the Police have not been deterred by absence of CCTV
cameras and other modern security technologies, to fight and succeed
in the fight against violent thuggery in our country. Using traditional
methods of criminal investigation, we have dealt serious blows on
these cowardly thugs. Indeed, most of the killers and their backers in
the murders of a number of Sheikhs, especially between 2014-2015
(including the recent killing in a similar manner of the late Sheikh Major
Kiggundu) are all behind bars and before courts of law facing justice.
They include the murderers and sponsors of the late Sheikh Bahiga in
December, 2014, at Bwebajja along Entebbe Road; the late Sheikh
Doctoor Muwaya, in December, 2014, at Mayuge District; the late
Sheikh Kirya, which occurred in 2015, at Bweyogerere Trading centre;
two police officers shot in 2015 while guarding the home of Lady Justice
Mwondha; the late Tito Okware, the Chairman L.C Ill, Namayingo
District; the late Sheikh Kiggundu in Masanafu where 4 suspects were
arrested and charged to court. Even in the pending case of the late
Joan Kagezi, we have established very good clues towards the identity
of the thugs that gunned her down.If we could succeed with little support from technology, there is no
doubt that with CCTV cameras, violent thuggery such as that which has
today claimed our comrades will be wiped out.
The public should, therefore, be reassured that, in spite of this tragic
loss, the days of thuggery in Uganda are numbered. As we remember
AIGP Kaweesi and the comrades who died with him, let us rededicate
ourselves to work together to make our country more secure through
lance in your neighbourhoods (“Neighbourhood Watch”) and
vigilance within the Police Force.
May the souls of our fallen comrades rest in eternal peace.
Burial arrangements will be communicated later.
We have meanwhile opened a condolence book at the Police
Headquarters for members of the public and all staff to append their
condolence messages.
Obxs,
GEN. KALE KAYIHURA
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
UGANDA POLICE
17.03.2017