Since yesterday, the nation Uganda has been mourning the assassination of one of its legislators. The Arua Municipality Member of Parliament, Ibrahim Abiriga was on Friday evening shot dead by two men moving on a motorcycle as he approached his home.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened at around 7pm when the legislator was returning home. As usual, Abiriga had slowed down to greet locals at his village as he returned from work. It is said that as the occupants of the first motorcycle sprayed bullets on Abiriga’s vehicle,the second one fired bullets in the air to disperse people. After being showered with bullets, the legislator’s vehicle later hit a tree.
In a statement, the Police Spokesperson Emilian Kayima confirmed the incident and says Abiriga was shot dead by unknown assailants near his home in Kawanda.
Abiriga is a former soldier in former Uganda President Idi Amin's Uganda Army. He was said to have served with the UPDF where he held the rank of Colonel. He served as an RDC in Westnile for over a decade and was in his first term as a member of parliament. In the House, he was said to be one of the staunchest proponents of the of the move to amend the Constitution so as to have the 75-year upper age limit for the president removed.
Upon hearing the news President Museveni tweeted:
I have received news about the senseless killing of Arua Municipality MP, Hon Ibrahim Abiriga, and his bodyguard on the city's outskirts. I have tasked security agencies to expeditiously find these killers and the nation will be updated soon. May Hon Abiriga's soul rest in peace.