Former army commander Gen. Katumba Wamala who has also been serving as the Minister for Works has for the first time spoken in detail about his health condition following Tuesday’s foiled assassination that left his daughter and driver dead.
Unknown gunmen who are still at large, intercepted Mr Katumba’s car along Kisota road in Kisaasi and sprayed it with bullets which left him with wounded arms and shoulders.
The assailants killed his daughter Brenda Nantongo and driver Haruna Kayondo.
Katumba’s escort Khalid Koboyoit fired back as he evacuated his boss and in the process saved the life of a high-ranking UPDF soldier.
Speaking from Medipal International Hospital where he is admitted Katumba said he doesn’t have an iota of information what was the motive of the assassination attempt.
STATEMENT
Greetings Uganda!
I survived. I thank God.
While driving in the morning with my daughter, bodyguard and driver heading to my mother in-law’s vigil, some terrorists tried to assassinate me.
I survived, but my dear daughter Brenda Nantongo Katumba and my driver Kayondo Haruna died at the crime scene.
I have no clue about the motive of this attack. There was no reason to end the lives of these innocent people. May their souls rest in peace.
My injuries are not alarming. I had surgery last evening, and one of the bullets was removed. However, because of how the other bullet affected my arteries, it was not removed, and the doctors will advise on the way forward.
I want to thank my Commander in Chief, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for the care he has shown me. His phone calls are some of the reasons I am still fighting on.
I would like in a special way to thank the boda boda man who forced me on his boda so that I can go and get first aid. In the same spirit, I would thank Malcolm Healthcare Kisasi for everything they did to stop the bleeding. That first aid helped so much.
Allow me to thank my escort, Sgt. Khalid Koboyoit for evacuating me from the crime scene as fast as he did and for shooting back at the terrorists. Things could have been worse.
I want to thank Medipal International Hospital for the care they are giving me.
I extend thanks to Bishop Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and Pastor Robert Kayanja for personally reaching out and coming to pray for me at the hospital. Thank you, and may God bless you.
I thank the Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, Deputy Speaker, CDF and IGP Maj. Gen Paul Lokech among other colleagues in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces for reaching out (to the hospital and the crime scene) as fast as possible. I thank Lt. General Proscovia Nalweyiso in a special way.
I thank my friends and colleagues in Parliament, former Ministers, PS, staff and friends from Ministry of Works, URA, UNRA staff, friends in the diaspora, Rotarians, especially Rotary Kampala Ssese, for the condolence and get well soon messages. I appreciate all of you.
Lastly, I want to thank all Ugandans for the love and messages you have been sending my way. I promise to keep fighting for my life.
I pray that one day soon, the terrorists that tried to assassinate me and took the lives of my daughter Brenda and driver Haruna will be brought to book.
For God and my Country.
