Family, District Leaders Decry Delayed Probe Into Kayabula's Shooting

The family of the late Richard Kayabula, who was shot dead by police during the Kyotera Parliamentary campaigns last year, has decried delayed justice. It is seven months since Kayabula, 43, a resident of Mabunwe –Ntovu village in Nakatoogo parish, Nabigasa sub-county was killed.

Kayabula was gunned down on December 4, 2020, as police dispersed Democratic Party and National Resistance Movement supporters who were clashing for the same venue in Nakatoogo trading center.  Nine police officers including the then Kyotera District Police Commander- DPC, Judith Akello were arrested and their firearms retained for ballistic assessment.

However, the family says to date, no progress has been made in the matter. They believe the delay is deliberate to shield the Police officers responsible for the death of their loved one. The family has called for expeditious investigations into the matter.

Speaking at a prayers service for the late Kayabula at Mabunwe village on Tuesday, his widow Asmat Nabankema, said they want the investigations expedited like it is the case with inquiries into the attempted assassination of Gen. Katumba Wamala.

She says although Kayabula’s killers are known, none has been prosecuted.   

//Cue in: “Kyensingira dala okwetaaga…………..      

Cue out:……………….. ddala okujivumaganya,”//   

She says she and family of four children are struggling since Kayabula’s demise because he was the sole breadwinner.   

//Cue in: “Bingi bikyuuse nyo…………..      

Cue out:…………embeera yakuyiiya.”//  

Nabankema further appealed to the government to support them in the lockdown, saying that her banana business got disorganised since she no longer receives clients due to transport issues.  

//Cue in: “Nsaba gavumenti eveeyo…………..     

Cue out:……………….kintu kyona kitambula.”//    

Kayabula’s mother, Teo Nalwanga says that she is currently struggling to make ends meet because she used to depend on her son.  She says that although Kayabula was a coffee dealer, transporter and retail trader in Kyotera town none of his business associates and employees have come out to reveal whether he had left some money behind to help the family.    

//Cue in: “Siyina era situyina wetujja…………..      

Cue out:…………embeera yakuyiiya.”//    

Nalwanga says that Kayabula’s death was planned because he was shot thrice on purpose. 

//Cue in: “Omuntu okumukuba amasasi…………..

     

Cue out:…………………….omutima neguyulika.”//    

Fortunate Rose Nantongo, the Kyotera Woman MP, says that the police are silent about the case and there isn’t any progress.  She says that they have come out to support the family since Kayabula died during their campaigns.  

She says that they took up the responsibility of educating the children to relieve Nabankema of the stress.     

//Cue in: “Baamuta busi naye…………..  

 

Cue out:…………muto tanatandika kusoma.”//    

She pledged to stand with the family until when they get justice.    

//Cue in: “Naye tugenda kutambula…………..   

Cue out:………………bubi nyo mu buwereza.”// 

John Paul Mpalanyi, the Kyotera County MP, explains that they gave police a chance to do their ballistic tests yet some officers who were involved have been transferred. 

//Cue in: “Ekyomukisa omubi nti………………….     

Cue out:…………obwenkanya bujja kufunika,”//  

He says that selective investigations are killing the police image, arguing that the cases of common people are always not prioritized like it is with top government officials.   

//Cue in: “Ekimu kukitumalamu amaanyi…………..       

Cue out:…………………gumu mugwanga lyafffe.”//     

Mohammad Nsubuga, the Masaka Regional Police spokesperson, says the file was sent to CID headquarters for further inquiries and investigations are ongoing.