Arua Municipality Member of Parliament Ibrahim Abiriga at Parliament recently
Former opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President, Dr Kizza Besigye and other opposition leaders in the country have condemned the killing of Arua Municipality Member of Parliament, Ibrahim Abiriga.
Police and parliament earlier said that Abiriga (NRM) together with his bodyguard were gunned down by assailants near his home at Kawanda in Wakiso district last evening. Eye witnesses said the assailants were travelling on a motorcycle.
Much as Abiriga was on the side that initiated the controversial age limit debate, opposition leaders including Dr Besigye, DP president Norbert Mao, Erias Lukwago, Dr Abed Bwanika have come out to condemn his killing.
Expressing his concern over the murder, Dr Besigye tweeted describing the incident as tragic adding that Uganda’s state of insecurity has reached a point of not segregating among the people.
“TRAGIC! Uganda’s insecurity affects upper &bottom rungs of society equally and brutally! Security systems are clearly dysfunctional. A new start necessary. My thoughts and prayers go to Hon Abiriga’s family, relatives &friends,” Dr Besigye who is currently out of the country tweeted.
Democratic Party president general, Norbert Mawa also condemned the murder of Abiriga saying his death was shocking to the country.
“I convey my sincere condolences to his family, the parliament of Uganda and the entire country. Here is a man who spoke straight and what you saw was what you got. I condemn this murder,” Mr Mao tweeted.
Meanwhile, Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago posted a short message on his Facebook wall in which he wondered about what is happening in the country.
“Oh My God! I’m speechless! Bloodshed in my motherland again!…May the souls of the deceased rest in eternal peace,” Mr Lukwago said.
People’s Development party president Dr Abed Bwanika said he was “deeply saddened” by news of the death of Abiriga adding that he was sympathizing with the family and the entire nation.
Phone claims
Hours after Abiriga’s murder was confirmed, there were claims making rounds on social media that a mobile phone that fell from the pocket of one of the assailants was recovered at the scene.
However, by the time of compiling this story, Kampapa metropolitan police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigire neither confirmed nor denied the recovery of the said mobile phone.
“I cannot confirm or deny those claims from whoever is making them but if there is anything about any mobile phone we shall put in the report that is going to be released about the incident,” Said Owoyesigire.
By press time last evening, Internal Affairs Minister Gen JJ Odongo and his junior minister Mr Obiga Kania had arrived at the scene but were yet to make a statement.
