His brother, Eddie Kamoga says Shafik was feeling unwell and spent much of the day sleeping. The noise from protestors and gunshots interrupted his sleep. At around 2:30 pm, Kamoga says his brother woke up and had lunch
Shafik Kamoga died on November 19th when
the country was abuzz with protests following the arrest of National Unity
Platform Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi. The 25 year old had only stepped
out of their shop also home to buy something to drink from as nearby shop when gun shoots had calmed.
His brother, Eddie Kamoga says Shafik was feeling
unwell and spent much of day sleeping. The noise from protestors and gunshots interrupted
his sleep. At around 2:30 pm, Kamoga says his brother woke up and had lunch. When they sensed some calmness outside, Shafik
decided to go and buy a drink from a nearby shop.
But he was barely four feet outside when a bullet
went through Shafik’s neck breaking his voice box. Their cousin Charles Kawagga,
also in the room told Kamoga that the last bullet sounded like it had
penetrated a human body.
They rushed outside to meet Shafik with blood gushing
out of his throat. Eddie Kamoga said his brother laid helpless and couldn’t
speak.
//Cue in: “Kakati then nali…
Cue out: …bwekityo bwekyali”//
Henry Mulema, a youth leader in Barracks Zone
Makindye where the incident happened says security men came firing bullets at people indiscriminately sending many including himself into hiding. He reports
seeing an army officer in a kneeling posture release bullets.
After a few seconds of gun fire, Mulema narrates that
he heard cries that someone had been shot. He rushed and found Eddie Kamoga and
Kawagga in tears trying to carry their brother from a pool of blood.
He joined them and sat on a Boda Boda with Shafik
whose body was slowly losing life. Muleme says he first took Shafik to a nearby clinic called Safe Guard but the nurse there could not accept the patient due
to his critical condition.
They decided to take him to Nsambya Hospital where
he was pronounced dead ten minutes after arrival.
//Cue in: “Ssimanyi yankwatirako…
Cue out: ...tasobola kuwona”//
Shafik had come to Kampala earlier this year to
learn from his brother how to repair electronics like phones and Televisions. Kamoga,
Kawagga and Muleme condemned the acts of security officer that shot and killed innocent
people.
They say security should revise methods for putting down protests if innocent
lives are to be saved. Kamoga says they need justice for their brother now laid
to rest in Kiboga district. He says they need to be compensated.
//Cue in: “Batuliyirize kuba…
Cue out: …waffe mumaaso”//
Juliet Logose, a Human Rights
Officer at the Uganda Human Rights Commission Central Region office, says
they have taken up the case for investigations and action. She says so
far 11 cases of human rights violations resulting from the protests have been
reported. He urged the public to seek redress from the commission.
