Assassins gun down senior Ugandan army major

By Halima Athumani

KAMPALA

A major in the Ugandan army, previously accused of involvement in a 1998 massacre, was gunned down Saturday by assassins riding on motorbikes.

Muhammed Kiggundu was a serving major in the Uganda People’s Defence Force, the country’s military. In 1998 he faced accusations of being behind an attack on Kichwamba technical school which saw over 50 students burnt alive in their dormitories.

Emiliano Kayima, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman, confirmed to Anadolu Agency on the phone that the attackers started shooting at the major’s vehicle at around 7.30 a.m. local time (0430GMT) in Wakiso, around 12 kilometers (seven miles) from the capital Kampala.

Kiggundu, who was driving a military vehicle, was cut down down together with his bodyguard.

Kayima added: “Witnesses at the scene say the assailant first shot at the vehicle’s tires and when the major came out with his hands up, the assailant shot at him and he died instantly.”

Police said they were trying to establish a motive and the identities of the killers.

Kiggundu was a former member of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group formed by Jamil Mukulu now under incarceration.

In 1998, while still serving as a senior commander in the ADF, Kiggundu was accused of having masterminded the Kichwamba attack.

However, in 2000 some members of the rebel group -- including Kiggundu -- left the organization and joined the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.

Since 2013 over 12 Muslim leaders on an alleged “hit list” have been killed in the country.

The government, including President Yoweri Museveni, have pointed an accusing finger at the ADF for masterminding the killing of Muslims, especially those who were formerly in the group.