Yesterday June 30 marked exactly six months since Bwaise based boxer, Isaac Ssenyange alias Zebra Mando, was shot dead by soldiers under the Joint Ant-Terrorism Task Force (JATT).
Zebra met his death on December 30, 2020 at St Francis Zone, Bwaise III Parish, Kawempe division. His death came after soldiers moving in three dreaded Toyota Hiace vehicles commonly known as 'drone' raided his home area at around 11:45 pm, blocked all roads and access routes leading to St Francis Zone.
Security cameras captured the 3 'drones' driving into the area and leaving shortly after Zebra was shot and killed with more than nine bullets. Initially, it was claimed that unknown people had gunned down the boxer after raiding his home. However, in his January 1, 2021 address, President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni revealed government security officers he deployed to search for people being mobilised to wreak havoc in Kampala had shot dead the pugilist who was mobilising support for the ruling NRM party.
Museveni explained that he had deployed exceedingly skilled soldiers in Kampala who had been facing off with the rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the Democratic Republic of Congo and al-Shabaab in Somalia.
"This is because of the weakness of police. These units (soldiers) started operating around Kampala and other areas. They were able to deal with some hardcore criminals who had turned some parts of Kampala into a no-go area. On December 24, the same unit operated around Nakivubo channel, which had become a no-go area for police. These are operations against people who are misled by corrupt, weak police and violent politicians," Museveni said.
He revealed that UPDF would conduct investigations and bring those behind Zebra's death to book. When asked about the progress of the investigations, Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) spokesperson, Brig Flavia Byekwaso called for patience, saying the report on Zebra's death will be availed at an appropriate time. Byekwaso said some cases can even be resolved after 20 years of investigations due to their complexities.
However, Zebra's colleagues have voiced concern about the slow progress of the investigation and lack of arrest of those behind his murder. Badru Lusambya, a professional boxer said Zebra was their voice and provided for each of them with the little he had.
Lusambya revealed that during the first lockdown in 2020, he almost succumbed to pneumonia but Zebra raised funds to clear his medical bills at Nsambya hospital in addition to providing for his family when he was almost helpless.
Isaac Masembe, another boxer asked president Museveni to fulfill his promise to investigate and prosecute Zebra's killers. Masembe said that he misses Zebra's advocacy voice for all boxers regardless of their level.
Both Lusambya and Masembe said they have missed so many international and local boxing tournaments, which was not the case before Zebra was killed. They say Zebra had unique skills of grooming boxers and mobilizing resources for tournaments.
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