At least 85 Ugandans were killed in the last seven days, according to the Criminal Investigation Directorate –CID records.
Statistics from the CID indicate that while 40 people were killed in criminal incidents, the other 45 died in the countrywide protests that erupted after the arrest of the National Unity Platform-NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
Violent protests broke out on Wednesday when Kyagulanyi was arrested in Luuka district for ignoring the COVID-19 guidelines. He was arrested by officers led by Frank Mwesigwa while addressing his supporters.
Soon as this news broke across the country, several supporters of the NUP took to the streets to protest. They burnt tyres and threw stones in the middle of the roads.
Security forces also responded with teargas and live bullets. 45 people were killed during these protests and some succumbed to bullet wounds, others died in stampedes while others suffocated to death.
More than 800 suspects have been arrested in relation to the crimes, according to Fred Enanga Police Spokesperson.
According to police, some of the killings that happened outside political protests include the kidnap and murder of 7-year-old girl Esther Mujuri in Kiboga District. She was kidnapped from her parent’s home where she had been left with her two little brothers.
