Masaka pigs have become a subject of finger pointing between opposition and government in the media.

Masaka City and surrounding districts of Lwengo, Ssembabule and Lyantonde in the last month shockingly registered twenty five 25 murders with machette wielding assailants largely remaining unknown to residents and security.

The Masaka pigs who mainly of older people, continue to cause untold fear within the city and the surrounding district dwellers according to political leaders.

Latest murders were reported on Saturday in the districts of Masaka and Lwengo named as Henry Kiremba, 81, a retired medical officer and a resident of Kyoko-Kitawongwa  Village, Kkingo Sub County in Lwengo District  and Maria Nakato, 80, a resident of Kitenga village, Nyendo –Mukungwe Division, Masaka City.

Muhammad Nsubuga, the police spokesman for southern region in an interview with Daily Monitor cited land wrangles as the major factor behind the murders. Nsubuga said land wrangles are majorly between the family members and sometimes their neighbours who secretly hire assailants to kill their targets.

National Unity Platform NUP, however, disagree with police claiming the Masaka pigs are know to the people on ground and ought to deal with the situation.

Opposition Leader in Parliament and Nyendo-Mukungwe MP, Mathias Mpuuga in an interview with NBS TV explained the security situation in the region.

Mpuuga dismissed: “We saw some statements from the security forces where they were accusing the people. In such times, when security forces resort to accusing the people, then we have no choice but to withdraw our cooperation and work with the people.”

The NUP leader argued: “Thirty days of killings and not a single minister has come to Masaka to speak to the people speaks volumes. I want the ministers to come and explain the statements coming out of the security forces in this area.”

Mpuuga explained: “The complaints in the community are clear. They don’t see the physical presence of the security forces. I believe this country has the capacity to cordon off these areas at night and do proper intelligence gathering.”

He went on: “Very regrettable killings in Masaka. As political leaders and security leaders in the area, we believe we needed to work together in these times.”

Mpuuga clarified: “The complaints in the community are clear. They don’t see the physical presence of the security forces. I believe this country has the capacity to cordon off these areas at night and do proper intelligence gathering.”

NUP Spokesman and Nakawa West Constituency MP Joel Ssenyonyi added his voice to the Masaka pigs and suggested party chief Robert Kyagulanyi as a possible solution if security can no longer manage the situation.

Ssenyonyi in an interview on NBS TV, raged: “The killings in Masaka have been on for over a month. These assailants actually notify people of the areas they are going to raid and do.”

NUP Spokesman pointed out: “For me, it’s the laxity of security forces in the country. I was having a chat with Hon. Kyagulanyi that maybe he should go and camp in Masaka for some days, you will see the amount of security deployed.”

President Yoweri Museveni in a recent security address to the nation referred to the criminals as ‘pigs’.

The President blasted: “These criminals are pigs. Anybody who kills people outside war is a pig (Masaka pigs). Moreover, many are stupid. They forget that all crime leaves clues and, eventually, the criminals will be captured.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dR5HMXKFmA