Following the foiled twin attacks by panga wielding men on police and UPDF barracks in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts in which several attackers were arrested on Saturday, security forces launched operations to apprehend fleeing suspects.
The repulsing of the attackers was first praised by the UPDF Director of Defence Public Information (DDPI) Major General Felix Kulayigye in a statement released on the official UPDF X account.
“We commend the bravery and professionalism of our personnel who acted with restraint and precision to protect lives and property. Investigations are underway to determine the origin, motive, and affiliations of the assailants” he said.
Kulaigye further said that the UPDF in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force, responded swiftly and decisively to neutralize the threat noting that several attackers were subdued, and operations were ongoing to apprehend those who fled.
However in the manhunt for the suspects, videos have circulated online showing Police and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) shoot suspected combatants dead even after they surrender to the forces.
The killings of the said attackers which look like executions have since led to a number of people including senior security experts to condemn the security forces actions of choosing to kill the said panga wielding men than arresting and interrogating them since they had surrendered.
Rtd Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Asan Kasingye described the shooting dead of one unarmed suspect who was kneeling and had raised his hands in the air as murder.
“This, is murder! @PoliceUg” he said.
Former spy chief Charles Rwomushana questioned how the UPDF could kill injured combatants.
“How does a military with a command execute injured combatants? If the situation is this ugly whilst you are still a stable force what happens when the force loses balance? This insurgency is conducting an intelligence deception” Rwomushana posted on his X account.
Former Kasese District MP Winnie Kiiza also condemned the execution style killings noting that it would have been better to arrest the culprits and take them before the courts of law to face justice.
“Arresting him would have been more prudent than shooting him. Can the dead testify in courts of law? This is total obstruction of genuine investigation” she posted.
Cartoonist and analyst Dr Jim Spire Ssentongo wondered why the security forces would kill individuals who surrender to the forces.
“KASESE, I thought that if one surrenders you don’t shoot. Well, someone educate me about these things” he posted.
However both police and UPDF are yet to issue a statement on why they shot dead suspects who had surrendered instead of arresting them and taking them to court as the law states.
