Article 29 of the Uganda constitution particularly clause 2 (a) states that “Every Ugandan shall have the right to move freely throughout Uganda and to reside and settle in any part of Uganda while article 22 (2) states “No person has the right to terminate the life of an unborn child except as may be authorised by law.” But such articles are now an illusion in several districts where machete killings and threats have become synonymous. At least 28 people have been ‘butchered’ in Masaka City and Lwengo district.
In addition, several residents in districts of Wakiso, Kampala, Masindi, Mityana, Kamuli, Mitooma, Bushenyi, Kyotera and Mukono are on tenterhooks as their names have already appeared on leaflets threatening to terminate their lives through ‘butchering’ with machetes.
In greater Kampala, several frightening leaflets have been dropped in places such as Katabila zone in Nsambya West, Nateete, Busega, Lungujja, Kasengejje, Matugga and Kabojja. In Seeta Mukono, dreadful anonymous letters have been sighted in Namanoja Village, Seeta Namuganga Subcounty in Mukono.
“I am waiting for my death. I don’t know what I did and I don’t know when they will come for my life,” Joseph Kityo the Namanoja village Chairman whose name has appeared on anonymous letter cried out.
Top on the list of people endangered with anonymous letters in Masindi Municipality is Ojok the Chairman for Kisarabwire village. Ojok who appears with six other who include Kamanyire Aston, Mugisa Mugambe, Kyamanywa Ibrahim, Nyakana Fred and Byaruhanga Genuka has since run to police seeking for protection.
Machete attacks have forced leaders to advise residents to stock pangas and spears for their own protection. Peter Mukasa, the defense secretary for Malongo village in Lwengo district has since mobilized locals to ensure they have weapons like pangas.
“It is possible to protect ourselves. People in the village listen to leaders and once we call them to handle a situation, they act with no hesitation. But we find it difficult to work with police because they sometimes demand for money,” Mukasa says.
A teacher in Kamuli district, Nalubowa Florence, who has also received a threatening letter that two heads will be picked from her family, has also cried out to the police for protection. Similarly, seven people in Mitooma district who include Tukasingura Joan, Mutabazi John, Muhangira Domiana, Muhanguzi Abby and Bigaraho Justine are also living in fear and have decided to procure rudimentary weapons.
Lwengo District Local Council V Chairman, Ibrahim Kitatta, has rallied every homestead to have a spear and a panga. According to Kitatta, he is reigniting Buganda culture where a home was always the first and smallest unit of security through having a spear and a panga.
“Historically we had vigilantes. In Buganda we had a spear and a panga. You need security for yourself. The smallest security unit is a family. The government cannot protect everyone. Every village must have vigilantes armed with spears and pangs. Once you hear whistles just come out and protect yourself,” Kitatta says.
Although civilians have decided to provide security for themselves, security agencies say they have set up joint team comprised of forensic, ICT and investigation experts drawn from the Directorate of Forensic Science, Crime Intelligence, Criminal Investigations Directorate, Internal Security Organisations and Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence.
Commissioner of Police –CP Fred Enanga, explains that some of the officers on the teams are reviewing Closed Circuit Television –CCTV footage retrieved in places where anonymous intimidating letters have been dropped.
Security says the purpose of gathering and reviewing CCTV videos is to ensure strangers seen dropping the letters are tracked and arrested. Other personnel on the team are tasked to analyse the handwriting on the walls and letters with a view of finding groups behind the attempt to cause worry and fear among members of the public.
Army deputy mouthpiece Lt Col Ronald Kakurungu, says the army and its intelligence agencies working alongside police will ensure incidents similar to those that have happened in Masaka are dealt with precisely. He urges the public to more so those in areas threatened with attacks to remain calm.
However, security forces indicate that in several incidents of machete threats, it has turned out to be a copycat crime. Enanga argues that the letters carry no evidence on them and that is why they are asking the public not to touch them so that they can use sniffer dogs and forensic skills to trace for people behind them.
“We still maintain that up to this stage, there is no credible information, indicating the validity of these threats so far. Our task teams are however, trying their very best, to track down all the culprits and bring them to book. We are meanwhile, grateful for the much level of cooperation and assistance obtained from the public,” Enanga says.
Between July and September, one of the major crime that has tested rights to freedom, protection and security are machete attacks and threats. Leaders at all spheres have rallied security agencies to up their game.