Blasts rock 2 Uganda MPs' homes

Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi points at the window that was smashed by one of The explosives on Tuesday morning. PHOTO | MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI | DAILY MONITOR

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By  Monitor

What you need to know:

  • he residences of Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanya and his Kyaddondo East counterpart Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine were attacked in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

  • The attacks come just days after another opposition MP survived a similar incident in the wake of presidential age limit debate.

  • The explosion that rocked Mr Ssewanyana’s Makindye residence, a suburb south of the capital Kampala, went off at 1.20am.

  • At Magere, in Wakiso District, Mr Kyagulanyi said three grenades had exploded and smashed the window of his son Solomon Kampala’s bedroom.

Homes of two opposition MPs in Uganda have been attacked with grenades.

The residences of Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanya and his Kyaddondo East counterpart Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine were attacked in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

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The attacks come just days after another opposition MP survived a similar incident in the wake of presidential age limit debate.

“We have received information of explosions at the homes of Mr Allan Ssewanya and Robert Kyagulanyi. Our teams have started investigating the said incidents,” police spokesperson Asan Kasingye told the Daily Monitor on Tuesday.

The explosion that rocked Mr Ssewanyana’s Makindye residence, a suburb south of the capital Kampala, went off at 1.20am.

“People have thrown a grenade at my home. I need rescue,” Mr Ssewanya said in a Facebook post.

At Magere, in Wakiso District, Mr Kyagulanyi said three grenades had exploded and smashed the window of his son Solomon Kampala’s bedroom.

WARNING

“Grenades have, for the second time in two days, been thrown at my house and exploded. Property damaged and no one hurt! But what kind of country are we now living in?” Mr Kyagulanyi said in a Facebook post.

Mr Kyagulanyi said he has been receiving death threats on almost a daily basis.

“I have also been advised by some friends who know more than I know that I should be very careful what I eat or drink, how I drive and from where, whom I meet, even who touches me while I go to Parliament,” he said.

“Apparently something could be done to me during the kind of scuffle that happened when state agents invaded the Parliamentary chamber!

“Reason? Opposing the removal of age limits in the Constitution! Anonymous calls targeting not only me but my family as well. I have been told that if I don't leave that thing a lone, I will just be terminated or disabled.”

POLICE

However, Mr Kasingye described Kyagulanyi’s statements as “too many a word” based on no facts.

“What they believe is not what is actually true. We are investigating,” Mr Kasingye said.

Mr Kasingye asked the public not to tamper with the scenes of crime.

“You don’t have to chase people who come to investigate. If there is an explosion, not any officer can investigate. It can only be investigated by trained officers and bomb experts,” Mr Kasingye said.

Last week, two hand grenades were hurled and exploded at Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante’s home.

DEBATE

The blast came moment after the lawmaker’s release from detention following his arrest at Parliament over the age limit fracas.

Twenty four opposition MPs were arrested on the orders of Inspector-General Kale Kayihura.

They were all charged with a wide range of crimes, including assault, malicious damage, disobeying lawful orders and inciting violence.

Their police bonds were cancelled on Monday and 17 of them have warrants of arrest hanging on their heads.

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