Riots: Child killer faces army court

Paul Mugenyi being led to the meeting where he was paraded before the residents of Kitaka zone. INSET: Julian Nalwanga who was killed in last Thursday’s riots in Masaka

By Ali Mambule

A member of the reserve force who is accused of shooting dead a two-and-half-year-old baby girl in Masaka will face the army Court Martial, Police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura has said.

Kayihura yesterday paraded Paul Mugenyi before the residents of Kitaka zone in Nyendo at the home of Aloysius Walusimbi, where the murder took place last Thursday.

Julian Nalwanga was shot dead as the Police dispersed protestors in downtown Masaka.

Her life was snuffed out by two bullets that ripped through her head and chest, killing her instantly.

Kayihura had gone to offer condolences to Nalwanga’s parents and wondered whether the residents properly identified the suspect who shot at the door of the house in which Nalwanga was killed.

The crowd confirmed that they had seen Mugenyi shooting not only Walusimbi’s door, but also others which had been closed during the riot.

Kayihura then instructed the southern regional Police commander, Fred Sekiwere, to bring the suspect before the residents, but cautioned them not to harm him.

“This was not a stray bullet as the Police report indicates,” Kayihura said after looking at multiple holes showing the four bullets that were shot at the metallic door of Walusimbi’s house.

He said he act was real murder and assured the residents that Mugenyi would face the court martial.

“We shall take him to the court martial because these other courts are too lenient. We may take him to court and see him out on bail the following day,” Kayihura said.

He, however, was ridiculed after declaring that he had paid sh1m as condolence to Nalwanga’s parents and assured the residents that President Museveni would find time to visit the family.

“Will you continue killing our people and then pay us those peanuts?” one of the residents asked.

But Kayihura clarified that he used his own money and that the Government would soon compensate Walusimbi for the loss of his daughter.

New Vision learnt that yesterday, Col. Proscovia Nalweyiso, the senior presidential advisor on defence affairs, visited the family to deliver some money

Kayihura was taken around Nyendo suburb where he counted 11 houses that were shot at during the Thursday riots.

He instructed former Kampala metropolitan Police commander Andrew Sorowen to immediately take charge of the southern region and asked him to begin with addressing grievances that led to the riots.

“Although the fuel issue is not for the police, we want you to help us stop those riots,” Kayihura said.

Sorowen began his work by granting bond to the 15 suspects who were arrested for leading the riot that led to Nalwanga’s death. “I am letting you go on condition that I’ll not see any more riots in Nyendo,” he said.