The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) in charge of Masaka, Fred Bamwine, has been transferred to Nakaseke.
Bamwine was moved in a reshuffle of RDCs and Deputy RDCs announced this Monday afternoon by Presidency Minister, Milly Babalanda.
Bamwine previously served as RDC, Mukono district.
The transfers came amid increased insecurity in Greater Masaka region where bandits have so far killed 29 people.
Two more people were killed in two separate attacks in Masaka on Saturday despite intensified security presence in the area.
Locals blamed security services for not doing enough to protect them from panga-weilding thugs.
As RDC, Bamwine served as head of the district security committee. It remains unclear if the transfer is related to Bamwine’s possible failure to strengthen security in Masaka.
However, Babalanda said she would today travel to Greater Masaka to assess the situation. “… I am heading to the Masaka area to assess the insecurity being reported there,” said Babalanda on August 28.
“These terror groups want to frustrate our efforts in implementing the NRM Manifesto. I can assure Ugandans that the Government will wipe them out without any trouble,” she emphasised.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga today announced the arrest of 15 suspects in connection with the killings in Masaka.
He said “most of the suspected killers stay within the communities.”
Earlier today, we reported that thugs terrorising Greater Masaka region are circulating leaflets, threatening to cut off people’s heads. “Twagala Emitwe 20,” reads part of the leaflets picked from Masaka, adding, “We are coming for you, stay indoors. It’s time for bloodshed.”
Uganda Police Chief Political Commissar, AIGP Asan Kasingye led a team of senior officers to hold meetings with staff from Sembabule district to galvanise security against “bijambia” criminals in the district.
The police teams will also support local authorities in terms of manpower, logistics and strengthen security. He urged local police commanders to improve on their readiness to respond to any acts of criminality in the region.
President Museveni is personally providing orders to UPDF commanders on ground in Greater Masaka region where thugs are wreaking havoc.
A joint security force of police, counter terrorism personnel, military intelligence, Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Special Forces Command and experienced counter insurgency officers are camped in Masaka to investigate the shocking murders.
Sources informed us that Museveni instructed the joint force to strengthen civilian intelligence gathering structures; increase night patrols and ensure the military supports police to provide swift responses to reports of attacks.
The killers break into the houses of the victims before stabbing them with sharp objects. The opposition has called on security services to do more to secure the area.
