Uganda’s ex-Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, was on Tuesday morning attacked by assassins riding motorcycles. Although Gen Katumba survived with bullets in the shoulders, his daughter Brenda Nantongo and driver Haruna Kayondo, died on spot.
Gen Katumba’s shooting has evoked nine years’ memories where prominent military and police chiefs as well as maverick Muslim clerics have been shot dead in broad day light or evening hours by gunmen riding motorcycles.
This nature of killings can be traced way back from April 20, 2012 where Sheikh Abdul Karim Sentamu was gunned down at William street in Uganda’s capital Kampala. Sheikh Sentamu was a renowned Muslim scholar and his killers disappeared from the scene riding on motorcycles.
Two after Sheikh Sentamu assassination, Hajji Abubaker Kiweewa was gunned down inside his supermarket in Kyanja by men riding on motorcycles. One would say year 2012 ushered in new murder modus operandi in Uganda. To date, more than 15 Muslim clerics and security gurus have been assassinated in a similar manner.
Below is the summary of Muslim leaders, military and police bosses who have met their creator at a barrel of a gun.
Abdul Kadhir Muwaya, who was Shiite Muslim sect leader was gunned down on December 25, 2014. His killers found him at his home in Mayuge district found in Busoga subregion. Muwaya killers came and disappeared on motorcycles.
Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga was shot dead by gunmen on motorcycles at a mosque in Bwebajja along the road that leads to Uganda’s Airport Entebbe. Bahiga was killed on December 28, 2014 and his murderers varnished on motorcycles.
Joan Kagezi, who was principal state attorney was shot dead on March 30, 2015. Kagezi met her death at a fruit stall in Kiwatule, Nakawa Division, in Kampala. The killers were using motorcycles and to date they have never been arrested.
Sheikh Abdul Rashid Wafula who was the Imam of Bilal mosque in Mbale town was gunned down outside his home gate. Neighbours said Wafula’s murderers arrived on a motorcycle and left riding the same bikes. He was killed on May 21, 2015.
Sheikh Hassan Kirya was shot dead on June 30, 2015 at Bweyogerere present day Kira Municipality. Again, Kirya’s killers were moving on motorcycles and no one has been convicted over killed Muslim clerics.
Maj Muhammad Kiggundu was shot dead on November 26, 2016 at Masanafu, Lubaga Division in Kampala. Kiggundu was killed alongside his bodyguard Sgt Fred Mukasa. He was driving in a military Pick Up.
Four months after Maj Kiggundu had been assassinated, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Andrew Felix Kaweesi was killed on March 17, 2017. AIGP Kaweesi was killed at Kulambiro in Nakawa Division of Kampala. He died alongside his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver Godfrey Mambewa. 
In 2018, Arua municipality member of parliament Col Ibrahim Abiriga was shot dead by assailants on motorcycles near his home in Kawanda, Wakiso district. Military and police have failed to arrest any suspect in regard to Col Abiriga killing.
Assistant Superintendent of Police –ASP Muhammad Kirumira who was also former Buyende District Police Commander was killed by assailants on a motorcycle.
ASP Kirumira had spent several months indicating that his life was in danger. He has been the youngest prominent person to be killed by motorcycle assailants until today when Gen Katumba’s daughter Brenda Nantongo was killed in her father’s military vehicle.