From July to date a series of killings by machete welding thugs have taken place in the Greater Masaka area claiming the lives of 30 people. The unfortunate incidences have spiked a national debate with the public tasking government to deploy more security in the region.
Early this week, Police said the groups behind the killings of people in Greater Masaka area are organised and sponsored by individuals that are yet to be discovered.
Yesterday the Masaka Chief Magistrate, Mr Charles Yeteise remanded 10 men suspected to be part of the machete-welding gang that has for one month terrorised residents in the greater Masaka area. The suspects charged with murder and attempted murder, were sent to Ssaza Prison until September 15 when they are expected to return for further mentioning of their case.
Below is a profile of some of the murder victims.
July murders
On July 3, Edward Bbale 41, a resident of Kityaza village Sembabule District was killed by unknown assailants.
Joan Nabakibi, a 26 year old mobile money attendant and resident of Ssaza,a Masaka city suburb was killed by assailants on July 7.
Henry Kirembe 81, The retired medical officer from Kyoko village,Kisekka sub county,Lwengo District was killed in July.
John Kabanda,60, an army reservist and resident of Bigando Village, Lwengo District and Vincent Kalya,43, a resident of Nzizi village, Kingo Sub county were killed on July 21 by the same assailants.
On July 27, Kassim Kaweesi, 50 , a resident of Kyanaganzi village, Kiwangala sub county, Lwengo District was killed by thugs armed with machetes.
James Ddamulira 47, a resident of Kitanga village Kabonera sub county, Masaka District was trailed by assailants , who killed him two days to his introduction ceremony on July 28.
On July 31, 60 year old Francis Nkaka and 40 year old Godfrey Kaweesi, both residents of Nakateta village Kisekka Sub County, Lwengo District were killed by assailants armed with pangas and iron bars.
August murders
On August 1, 50 year old Bwanika Joseph was murdered at Kiseka B village,Kisekka sub county , Lwengo district.
On August 4, 60 year old, Joseph Ddumba, a resident of Buzinga village, Nkunyu Parish , Lwengo sub county Lwengo District was killed.
On August 8, Peter Bwanika 52, a resident of Kisekka B village, Busubi Parish, Kisekka Su County was killed. He was on his way back home at around 9pm after having had supper at his mother’s place. His body was found buried at a coffee plantation near his home.
On August 12, 60 year old Lubega Ramathan was found murdered and his body dumped in a Kibanja of a one Faizo in Malongo village,Malongo su county,Lwengo district.
On August 15, Sowedi Kayemba, 35, a resident of Kayemba village, Kyazanga Town council, Lwengo District was killed bt the machete wielding thugs who found him inside his house.
On August 16, three people in Byanjiri Village, Kito Parish, Lwengo Sub-county, Lwengo District were waylaid and murdered. They include 47 year old Ibrahim Ssebwama, male, 20 year old Ronald Katende Mande and 58 year old Paul Galiwango.
On August 17, Ibrahim Ssebwana, 50 a resident of Byangiri village Lwengo District was killed when assailants armed with pangas raided his home.
On August 22, Idirisa Mukasa,87, a resident of Kikungwe village,Kimanya Kabonero Division Masaka city and 61 year old Richard Mbaziira , a catechist to attached to Kingo catholic Parishin Lwengo district were killed after assailants raided their homes. Mukasa was killed infront of his house while Mbazire was killed in his house at Kyabbogo village-Kkingo ,sub county Lwengo district.
On August 23, the assailants killed three people in Setaala Village, Senya ward, Kimanya, Kabonera Division, Masaka. They were hit and died instantly. The deceased include: Francis Mugerwa, aka Kiiza Nswa, 60 years, Suleiman Kakoza, 54 years and Tamukuze Kiyimba, 42 years.
On August 24, Madi Mulindwa 47, a resident of Kisaaka village, Kimanya Kabonera Municiality, Masaka city was killed.
On August 25,Fred Ssemanda, 25 a resident of Kituntu village was killed between Kintuntu village and Bukulula villages in Ssembabule District. Ssemanda was a herder in that village and after killing him, the assailants tied his arms with a rope.
On August 26, Peter Mayanja , a resident of Bisanje Kanyogoga village ,Masaka City, Annet Nampijja, a resident Kasaali village, Masaka city were killed by assailants.
on August 27, Joyce Nantale,64, a resident of Bwasa village, Kasaana parish, Kkingo sub county,Lwengo District was murdered .
On August 27, in Kisaka village, Kiteredde Ward, Kimanya, Kabonero Division, Masaka City, unknown assailants killed a one Madi Mulindwa, aged 45 years and injured a one Ssemanda.
On the night of August 28, in Bwasa Village, Kosano Parish, Kingo Sub-county, Lwengo District, a one Joyce Kankundiye, 70 years, and her granddaughter aged 6 years, were hit and later pronounced dead at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital. On the same night, a one Nakato, aged 80 years, a resident of Kitenga Village, Kadugara ward, Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Masaka City, was killed by unknown assailants.
Again on the night of August 28, Henry Kirembwa, male, aged 81 years, a resident of Kyoko, Koganda Parish, Kingo Sub-county, Lwengo District, was attacked and killed by unknown thugs.
On August 28, Silver Ssekalala, 32, a farmer and resident of Kijjumba village Lwanda sub county, Rakai District and Sulait Ssekanjaki,32, a money lender from Mutukula town were mudered. Ssekanjaki was waylaid by assailants on his way home.
On the night of August 29, Vincent Lizina, male, aged 75 years, a resident of Mumundwe Village, Rwakibirizi Parish, Kyazanga Rural Sub-county, Lwengo District, was attacked and killed by unknown assailants.
Maria Nakato, 80 a resident of Kitenga Village Nyendo Mukungwe Municipality, Masaka city was killed last week.