Uganda Minister survives shooting, daughter dies

Uganda’s former Minister of Works and Transport, General Edward Katumba Wamala, on Tuesday morning survived an assassination attempt on his life in a suburb of the capital Kampala.

His daughter Brenda Wamala Nantongo and driver Haruna Kayondo were killed.

The three were driving to Kampala when they were intercepted by four gunmen on motorcycles who showered bullets at the car before fleeing the scene, witnesses said.

Video footage that has been circulating on social media shows General Katumba walking with blood stains on his clothes.

According to reports, the General and his daughter were heading for the burial of their close relative in Najjanankumbi along Entebbe road.

Early responders rushed the minister to a Kampala hospital for treatment.

Several government officials, including the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanya and his deputy Anita Among, were at the hospital as Wamala received treatment.

The army spokesperson, Brigadier Flavia Byekwaso said that the army and police have begun investigations.

General Wamala served as Minister of Works and Transport in the former cabinet which was dissolved last month following the expiration of President Museveni’s fifth term.

One of his last tasks in office this year was firing the top management of the country’s national carrier Uganda Airlines together with its board members over corruption and mismanagement of funds.

From 2005 to 2013, he served as the Commander of Land Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces before moving on to become the Chief of Defence Forces from 2013 to 2017, the highest rank in the Uganda Military.

From 2001 to 2005, he served as the Inspector General of the Uganda police force.

Edited by Olajumoke Adeleke