By Spy Uganda
Former Minister of Works and Transport has thanked everyone who has stood by him in the trying moment following an assassination attempt yesterday that left his daughter Brenda Nantongo Katumba and driver Haruna Kayondo dead.
Gen Katumba was on Tuesday attacked by armed assailants moving on two motorcycles. They sprayed his car with over 50 bullets before taking to their heels after Katumba himself and his bodyguard fire back. The former army Commander survived with bullet injuries.
The incident took place along Kisota road in Kisaasi, Kampala.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Gen Katumba who is currently admitted at Medipal International Hospital in Kololo told Ugandans that he had a surgery last night and one bullet was removed. He however added that because of how the other bullet affected his arteries, it was not removed, and the doctors would advise on the way forward.
Nevertheless, he reassured that his injuries are not alarming and that he would be fine.
The former Police Chief also prayed to God that he hopes one day one, the terrorists who tried to assassinate him and took lives of his daughter and driver will be brought to book. Katumba attributed his survival from the attack to God and his highly trained body guard who repulsed the assassins in fire exchange. He also thanked the boda boda rider who forced him unto his boda boda and rushed him to Malcolm clinic for first-aid before he was transferred to Medipal Kololo.
Read Gen Katumba’s full 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.
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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, 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 Ministries for personally reaching out and coming to pray for me at the hospital. Thank you, and may God bless you.
READ ALSO: Breaking! Assailants Shoot Gen.Katumba, Body Guard; Daughter & Driver Die On Spot
I thank the Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, Deputy Speaker, CDF Gen Muhoozi, and 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 & Transport, URA Commissioner General, 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”
