Police puts sh20m reward on Katumba attack mastermind

The Police have put sh20m reward on the overall coordinator of the domestic terror cells, a one Sheikh Abu Ubaida Badir Diin Bukenya.

This comes after the arrest of the second suspected shooter in the attempted murder of Works and Transport Minister, Gen. Katumba Wamala.

Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, who read the statement on behalf of the deputy police chief, Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech, said the suspect was identified as Huzaifa Wampa alias Kanaabe.

“Our focus now shifts to tracking down the overall coordinator of the domestic terror cells, a one Sheikh Abu Ubaida Badir Diin Bukenya. He has been actively recruiting assailants and reactivating the terror cells. We have widely shared his photos and put out a reward of sh20m, for anyone with credible information that can lead to his arrest,” Lokech stated.

The deputy police chief said Bukenya was an ADF member who had benefited from amnesty, but he abused the amnesty and went back into rebel activities.

Lokech explained that Wampa was arrested, Monday (July 12) from his hideout in Nyimbwa sub-county, Luwero district, and that upon searching his known residence, they recovered two motorcycles, a hood and gloves.

On June 1, Katumba and his bodyguard Sgt. Khalid Koboyoit, survived an attack by assailants along Kisota road in Kisaasi, Kampala.

But his daughter, Brenda Katumba Nantongo, and driver, Sgt. Haruna Kayondo, were killed.

Seven suspects have so far been charged with the attack, while four were reportedly shot as they reportedly tried to resist arrest, and they died of their wounds. Wampa becomes the 12th suspect to be netted.

Lokech said the same group was behind the murder of 14 persons, the attempted murder of three people and three major aggravated robberies.

These include; the Murder of Major Muhammad Kiguundu and his bodyguard Sgt. Stephen Mukasa in November 2016; the murder of former police spokesperson, Andrew Felix Kaweesi, his bodyguard Cpl. Kenneth Erau and the driver Cpl. Godfrey Wambewa in March 2017.

They are also responsible for the double murder of Special Police Constable (SPC) number 560 Hussein Mubiru and SPC number 169 Moses Kalungi, and the attempted murder of Evarest Hakiza at Ntake Bakery.

The suspects are also linked to the murder of Frank Anania, Amim Bugembe, Jimmy Atukuru and Frank Abaho at Nansana Cheap Hardware Stores, as well as the murder of Button Okoth at City Supermarket in Mpererwe, Kawempe division.