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Drivers and bodyguards who have taken bullets for their bosses
Kenneth Erau, the bodyguard of assassinated police spokesman AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi was killed shielding his boss from the multiple bullets that were being fired at the vehicle in which they were traveling. PHOTO/FILE/COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Who are these bodyguards who stand in the line of fire to protect their bosses?
The sights of bullet-riddled cars of Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, Maj Kiggundu, Felix Kaweesi, and Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga and their dead driver-bodyguards are still fresh on our minds.
But who are these bodyguards who stand in the line of fire to protect their bosses? How are they recruited, trained and drilled for their jobs? Saturday Monitor brings out the highlights and risks of the trade.
Steven Mukasa
Sgt Steven Mukasa, who doubled as the driver and bodyguard of Maj Muhammad Kiggundu, died along with his boss, a Muslim ceric who had also been one of the commanders of the rebel Allied Democratic Front (ADF) before he was pardoned, rehabilitated and reintegrated into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
They were intercepted in Masanafu on November 26, 2016 as they drove to the city centre in a UPDF pick-up truck. Their attackers were riding on motorcycles.
Kenneth Erau and Wambewa
Cpl Kenneth Erau was the bodyguard of Assistant Inspector General of Police and spokesperson of the Force, Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
Kenneth Erau, the bodyguard of assassinated police spokesman AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi was killed shielding his boss from the multiple bullets that were being fired at the vehicle in which they were traveling. PHOTO/FILE/COURTESY
Erau was killed along with his boss and the driver, Constable Godfrey Wambewa when the hitmen, who were riding on motorcycles, usually preferred for boda boda, pounced on the trio on March 17, 2017 about 100 metres from Kaweesi’s residence in Kulambiro, a Kampala suburb.
Both Erau and Wembewa were police officers attached to the Directorate of Counter Terrorism, a Department of Very Important Persons Protection Unit (VIPPU),
Said Butele Kongo
Said Butele Kongo was a brother and bodyguard of the late Arua Municipality MP, the highly controversial Ibrahim Abiriga.
Butele was killed on June 8, 2018 along with his boss, a retired soldier who had had prior to his election served as Resident District Commissioner (RDC), when they were attacked by unknown assailants as they returned to Abiriga’s home in Kawanda, Wakiso district.
Kayondo Haruna and Khalid Koboyoit
Sgt Haruna Kayondo, who was the official driver of Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, was shot dead on Tuesday along with the daughter of his boss when unknown assailants made an attempt on the life of the former Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) of the UPDF and outgoing minister of Works and Transport.
The bodyguard, Sgt Khalid Koboyoit, who was involved in an exchange of fire with the attackers and is believed to have injured one of them, escaped unhurt. However, Gen Katumba Wamala came out of the incident that took place on Kisota-Kulambiro road, very close to where AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi was killed from, with injuries on both arms.
