Uganda Police Force has issued security guidelines following the continued dropping of threatening anonymous leaflets, commonly known as ‘Bijambiya’ letters.
During the month of August, the anonymous letters sent to individuals and or dropped in selected communities became rampant in the areas of Greater Masaka especially in the villages of Mwaalo, Kyabakuza, Kisoka and Baloole villages.
The people behind the letters went ahead to execute some of their mission and about 30 people were hacked to death by the panga wielding gang.
However, the threats of anonymous letters that were highly linked to the vicious killings, have since reduced in the Greater Masaka area following the heavy security deployment in the region.
Multiple reports indicate that the threatening anonymous letters have hit Greater Kampala areas like Katabila zone in Nsambya West, Nateete, Busega, Lungujja, Kasengejje, Matugga and Kabojja among other areas.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says the letters have no address, the perpetrators use poor handwriting with threats of panga attacks, to a particular community or individual.
“For instance, on the 4/09/2021, a threatening anonymous letter, was found in Kisarabwire, Masindi Municipality, Masindi District, with threats against 6 people including the LC1 Chairperson, called Ojok, Kamanyire Aston, Mugisa Mugambe, Kyamanywa Ibrahim, Nyakana Fred and Byaruhanga Genuka.
Another alleged anonymous threat, was delivered by Kityo Joseph Male, a 56 year old, LC1 Chairperson of Seeta – Namanoja Village, Seeta Namuganga Subcounty in Mukono. It was a four paged anonymous letter in Luganda, threatening him and seven other residents, of an attack on the 6.09.2021, by the Kijambia force, 2021 -2027. The alleged threatening letter had been recovered by a resident, after it was abandoned at Namagoma Trading Centre,” says Enanga.
He further explains that; “In Mitooma District, 5 warning letters were dropped between the 4-6th September in areas of Nyabubaare Cell, Kabila Sub County. The threats were directed at 5 victims who include, Tukasinsgura Joan, aged 31, Muhangirwa Domian aged 39, Bangizi Abbi aged 50 and Bigaraho Justine aged 50, all of Nyabubare Cell.
Again on the 8.09.2021, threatening letters were placed at the home of Nalubowa Florence, a 49 year old teacher, and a resident of Buwalala- Kamuli, Namwendwa ward, southern division, Kamuli District, with written threats “coming tonight” , “we need two heads , coming tonight with action.”
Additional threats of anonymous letters were registered in Bumbeire, Village Bushenyi District.
Enanga explains that in all these incidents, the anonymous letters were picked and taken to the nearest LC1 or police unit.
“And it is against this background that we would like to share very important message with the public. That all anonymous letters sent or dropped in a given area must be treated with caution.
The letters carry evidence on them and we are asking the public not to touch the letters or tamper with the scene. Thereafter, proceed to alert the nearest security unit and wait in a safe place, until the police or security teams arrive,” he says.
He reveals that once the scenes are well preserved, it helps provide clues in tracking down the perpetrators, in form of latent fingerprints, DNA, and the use of canine dogs.
“We still maintain that up to this stage, there is no credible information, indicating the validity of these threats so far.
We are meanwhile, grateful for the much level of cooperation and assistance obtained from the public. We have shared prudent tips on security with them, mobilized them, and increased our security presence, both overt and covert, around the affected communities,” he says.