Two hawkers have been arrested on allegations of stabbing two Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) law enforcement officers. Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Patrick Onyango identified the arrested hawkers as Juma Akankwasa and Charles Nsereko.
He said the two hawkers waylaid John Lubega Mutebi and Isaac Egesa Obuli who were returning from resolving a conflict between Masaka and Sembabule taxi drivers in the New Taxi Park. Obuli, in the company of his subordinates, had gone for a fact-finding mission where the differences between taxi drivers were amicably resolved.
Tom Omurungi, one of the eyewitnesses said that as the duo was returning from the field, Akankwasa stabbed the KCCA law enforcer who was behind. Omurungi's narration has been corroborated by Onyango saying KCCA officials heard their colleague crying for help.
"The law enforcer who was behind cried for help. His colleagues rushed for his rescue. They found out that he had been stabbed and was on the ground as the suspect Juma Akankwasa was holding a blood-stained knife," Onyango said. The KCCA officials attempted to disarm Akankwasa but he also stabbed John Lubega in the process.
"In the process, law enforcers used reasonable force to subdue him and disarmed him," Onyango said. His colleague Nsereko was also arrested for wrestling KCCA officials to block Akankwasa's arrest before they were both overpowered.
"The two law enforcement officers have been admitted in the hospital, one in critical condition and another in serious condition," Onyango said.
He said the two hawkers waylaid John Lubega Mutebi and Isaac Egesa Obuli who were returning from resolving a conflict between Masaka and Sembabule taxi drivers in the New Taxi Park. Obuli, in the company of his subordinates, had gone for a fact-finding mission where the differences between taxi drivers were amicably resolved.
Tom Omurungi, one of the eyewitnesses said that as the duo was returning from the field, Akankwasa stabbed the KCCA law enforcer who was behind. Omurungi's narration has been corroborated by Onyango saying KCCA officials heard their colleague crying for help.
"The law enforcer who was behind cried for help. His colleagues rushed for his rescue. They found out that he had been stabbed and was on the ground as the suspect Juma Akankwasa was holding a blood-stained knife," Onyango said. The KCCA officials attempted to disarm Akankwasa but he also stabbed John Lubega in the process.
"In the process, law enforcers used reasonable force to subdue him and disarmed him," Onyango said. His colleague Nsereko was also arrested for wrestling KCCA officials to block Akankwasa's arrest before they were both overpowered.
"The two law enforcement officers have been admitted in the hospital, one in critical condition and another in serious condition," Onyango said.
He added that the suspects are currently detained at the central police station in Kampala while the victims are admitted at Novik hospital on Bombo Road.
Although police have not indicated the reason why Akankwasa and Nsereko attacked KCCA officials, a hawker who preferred anonymity said it was in retaliation for their confiscated merchandise.
"We give those guys money in order to sell our merchandise. But when the next day you say you don't have money they take your merchandise. They ask to bribe them with at least Shs 3,000 yet my capital is Shs 15,000," one of the hawkers said.
The hawker's allegations could not be verified but Onyango said investigations were underway to unearth the cause of the attack.
"We condemn attacks on law enforcement officers. We have increased deployment in the New Park and on the streets to deal with anyone with the intention to take the law in their hands and also ensure that such acts do not happen again," Onyango said.
Although police have not indicated the reason why Akankwasa and Nsereko attacked KCCA officials, a hawker who preferred anonymity said it was in retaliation for their confiscated merchandise.
"We give those guys money in order to sell our merchandise. But when the next day you say you don't have money they take your merchandise. They ask to bribe them with at least Shs 3,000 yet my capital is Shs 15,000," one of the hawkers said.
The hawker's allegations could not be verified but Onyango said investigations were underway to unearth the cause of the attack.
"We condemn attacks on law enforcement officers. We have increased deployment in the New Park and on the streets to deal with anyone with the intention to take the law in their hands and also ensure that such acts do not happen again," Onyango said.
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