Residents of Kilembe village are living in fear after the area Councilor Nyamitanga – Mbarara Municipality Amos Katurebe was attacked with acid. “Someone called him by the name Councilor, and when he turned in response, the attacker poured acid onto him.” At a fuel station in Mbarara, is where Katurebe normally parked his car every evening after work. By 8 pm, Katurebe had parked his car and proceeded to his home nearby. A few meters to his home, he was attacked by assailants with acid.

The Police arrested the Mbarara Municipality Speaker Bonny Tashobya in connection with the attack. “There are allegations that the Speaker of the Municipal Council is the one behind it and these allegations are coming from the victim who was attacked. And as per now, we have him in Police custody on a charge of attempted murder.” Said, Samson Kasasira – Rwizi Region Spokesperson.

On 3rd last month, Katurebe together with other Councilors petitioned the Ministry of Local Government seeking for his removal from office on the allegation of abuse of office. The Speaker had earlier called several Council meetings to deliberate on the allocation of land at Kenkombe and the land for the market and the NFA land. He was leading a group of Councilors opposed to the land giveaway in Mbarara. “...who is called Amos says that Tashobya is behind it and we don’t know why. The Head of the Commission Justice Bamugemereire mentioned it but no one has come to us.” The Commission of Inquiry on Land Matters was in Mbarara over land-related cases. Katurebe was expected to be one of the witnesses over land in the Municipality. “To have you pronounce to the public that you will guarantee the security of persons in this district and that you go against those people who are harassing the people.” “Those who attacked him, as security it is very unfortunate.... and because of the sensitivity, I then authorize....not to mention the extent of relations. But only to assure the Commission that all is being done and indeed one suspect is already in the Police custody.” “We are concerned about the level of apathy and collusion among the top officials and miscreants in Mbarara district very concerned as a Commission.” Yesterday, Justice Catherine Bamugemereire sounded a caution to the Mafias in Mbarara threatening witnesses supposed to testify before the Commission. “We actually want to know, who are these individuals in Mbarara who make everybody fear to speak.”