Prime
Kaziimba condemns attack on Gen Wamala
Archibishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu at a press conference on April 2. The archbishop has condemned the assassination attempt on Gen Edward Katumba Wamala. PHOTO | RACHEL MABALA
What you need to know:
- His daughter, Brenda Wamala, and driver, Haruna Kayondo, who were traveling with him in the same vehicle died on the spot after succumbing to gunshot wounds.
- Archbishop Kaziimba briefly spoke about the killing.
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Rt Rev Stephen Samuel Kaziimba, has condemned the assassination attempt on Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, the outgoing Works and Transport minister.
Gen Wamala survived assassination yesterday morning after gunmen riding motorcycles shot at his vehicle in Kisaasi, a Kampala suburb.
His daughter, Brenda Wamala, and driver, Haruna Kayondo, who were traveling with him in the same vehicle died on the spot after succumbing to gunshot wounds.
Archbishop Kaziimba briefly spoke about the killing.
“We are saddened by the news of the attempted murder of Gen Katumba Wamala and for the killing of his daughter and driver. We want to pray and call upon all Ugandans to value life. It is very important,” Archbishop Kaziimba said during a press conference yesterday at his home in Namirembe, Kampala.
He added: “I want to call such people (the assassins) to repent because we need a peaceful nation. I want to extend our sympathies to the family of Gen Wamala for the loss of their daughter and the family of the driver.”
Archbishop Kaziimba condemned the killing of Gen Katumba’s daughter and driver.
“We call upon the government to investigate and give a report (on the killings) so that Ugandans can enjoy staying in their country,” he said.
Archbishop Kaziimba also asked Ugandans to contribute towards paying off the bank loan that was taken to construct Church House on Kampala Road.
“The rapid spread of the gospel began with our Martyrs and we can continue their legacy when we are able to generate local resources for mission and that is the purpose of Church House. But, we cannot realise that vision of raising local resources until the loans are paid off,” he said.
He added: “We are, therefore, asking one million Ugandans to contribute at least Shs60,000, by the end of July, as a love gift to the Lord, in thanking him for 60 years of self-governance.”
What they say
Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, second deputy Mufti of Uganda: “We are very sorry for the incident that happened to Gen Katumba. We thought things had cooled down in the country. We pray there is no other agenda to eliminate his life. Already, there is loss of life and we appeal [that] these (the killings) be stopped. When you resolve issues through oppressing other people, you create other problems. We pray these killings stop here and in case there are any other issues, we pray that they are resolved amicably.”
Dr Joseph Serwadda, presiding apostle of the Born Again Faith: “It is a very unfortunate incident and regrettable. We are praying for loss of the young lady, and, of course, the driver. We hope that the General recovers soon. We ask God to bring the culprits to book because most of these incidents have gone without any reports coming out of who did the hideous acts.”
Bishop Joshua Lwere, general overseer of association of Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches in Uganda: “My sincere condolences to the family of General Katumba Wamala because I also understand that he had just lost his mother-in-law. I condemn the killings which are pulling our nation backwards. Such assassinations are causing a lot of pain and fear to members of the public. Our immediate plan is going to visit and pray for him.”
