Gen Katumba Wamala opens up on how he escaped assassination
The deadly and ruthless gunmen whose plan to kill outgoing Works minister Katumba Wamala on Monday apparently fired up to 56 bullets at the army car carrying the four-star general, sources close to the investigations said.
General Katumba Wamala’s beautiful daughter, Brenda Nantongo was killed on spot after one of the flying bullets ripped through her neck. Brenda had just returned from US after completing her studies.
The driver on the steering that fateful day, Haruna Kayondo was helplessly finished by a bullet in the chest and also died at the scene, according to police sources briefed on the investigations.
The guard, Sgt Khalid Koboyoit, however, escaped unhurt.
Gen Katumba underwent an emergency surgery at Medipal Hospital in Kololo for multiple bullet wounds to the arms before getting discharged to attend his daughter’s burial ceremony.
How the gunmen carried out the deadly attack
According to eyewitnesses the tactful assailants opened fire soon after they approached the General’s sleek ride following a tip off from a colleague that the target was available.
Footage captured on CCTV cameras indicates that the attackers escaped the blood-smelling scene through Mariam Road and joined Bukoto-Kisaasi Road and headed up towards the round-about and onward to Bahai. Apparently latest findings from investigation suggests that the bullets were fired from the Israeli-made Uzi guns.
Gen Katumba opens up;
While addressing mourners yesterday at fallen daughter’s vigil, he narrated the ordeal.
“We we’re going to discuss how to bury grandmother, as we we’re almost reaching Kisota, the first bullet was fired and we thought a boda boda had knocked us yet they had started shooting.
“Unfortunately, I do not know whether it was God’s plan for Brenda to shield me because they fired (bullets) from the side of Brenda, who was seated behind the driver. So, when I realized they were bullets, I ducked and Brenda shouted, ‘Jesus’, and she fell,” he said.
In the hail of bullets, driver Kayondo attempted to power the vehicle to safety, but he was shot first in the legs and again to the head, and he died instantly.
The wounded 4-star General who graduated Tanzania’s famed Monduli Military Academy says that after realizing that his daughter had been shot, he unlocked the car and rolled outside to save his life.
“I was able to unlock the door of the vehicle and quickly I rolled down on the ground to take cover but my arm had already been shot. I yelled at to pass me the gun to fight back my escort that they were killing us, get out and shoot”, he said leaving mourners sobbing.
Gen Katumba said he spotted some of the attackers advancing towards him from the front and quickly crawled behind the car and lay still.
Sgt Khalid returned the fire and “that is what helped because they (attackers) seemed to be coming back to complete the task; finish us off,” he added.
They sought temporary refuge at a roadside makeshift and Gen Katumba hid there as the guard returned to ensure the assailants did not pursue them.
Enock Mugabi aka iWitness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports.
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