President Museveni, alongside the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, honored Mr. Abdul Katabaazi, a local Boda Boda rider with the esteemed Nalubaale Medal at State House Entebbe during a cabinet meeting.
The Nalubaale Medal, a recognition for civilian activists contributing to Uganda’s political development, was bestowed upon Katabaazi for his courageous act in pursuing and capturing the assailants responsible for the tragic killing of Eng. Daniel Bbosa, the leader of Buganda Kingdom’s Endiga Clan on February 25th, 2024.
Eng. Bbosa, aged 72 and director of Transa Electrical, was fatally shot in his car near his residence in Kikandwa Zone, Lungujja, Rubaga Division.
President Museveni Honors Katabaazi
Speaking during the event, President Museveni expressed his admiration for Katabaazi’s bravery, stating, “I am very happy to meet you. You are a hero. You have done a good job. I congratulate you.”
In response to the President’s praise, Katabaazi expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am very happy to meet the President. I thank him for recognizing my efforts.”
Furthermore, President Museveni pledged to not only honor Mr. Katabaazi but also support other boda boda riders who participated in capturing suspected killers.
Katabaazi Recounts the Shooting
Speaking during the event Kataabazi narrated to President Museveni and his cabinet how he witnessed the shooting and immediately learnt it was Bbosa who had been shot, he summoned his courage, made an alarm, and decided to pursue the alleged assassins who were travelling on a boda boda.
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He explained that after about 20 meters of pursuit near the home, he was joined by another rider only identified as Mukisa who gave him the courage to continue with the pursuit while raising more alarm.
“When they heard us making more alarm, now the one who was armed charged the gun to shoot us, but accidentally, the gun fell down in the wheels of their motorcycle. This gave me the nerve to knock them down,” Katabaazi said.
Kataabazi, who said the deceased took care of him, especially during the COVID- 19 period, explained how he decided to jump on to the assailant, and luckily managed to overpower him until more people arrived.
Katabaazi Holds off Angry Mob
“I held him on the ground because I was more energetic compared to him, his strength was only on the gun, he kept fighting me to approach the gun, but I couldn’t allow him, in a few minutes more people had joined me,” he said.
People nabbed the second assailant a few meters away and killed him on the spot, then returned and made an attempt to also lynch Lujja, the one he had captured.
Katabaazi further explained how he was injured in the process of defending him, urging people not to take the law in their own hands.
“People were so angry, they wanted to kill both of them, but I insisted on pleading with them not to kill another person because we wouldn’t know who sent them to kill my good friend. Until Police arrived and he was rescued,” Katabazi added.
The Ugandan Directorate of CID Raises Alarm.
The Directorate of CID issued an appeal for information leading to the arrest of Lujja Bbosa Tabula, a key suspect in Eng. Daniel Bbosa’s murder.
A substantial cash reward of Ksh 10m was announced for credible information that could lead to Tabula’s arrest, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness with which authorities are pursuing justice in this case.
Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, emphasized that Tabula was a resident of Kabango village in Mpigi district and warned against harboring him under penalty of arrest and criminal charges.
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This development not only highlights the collaborative efforts between citizens like Abdul Katabaazi and law enforcement agencies but also underscores the importance of community involvement in ensuring safety and security within Ugandan society.
President Museveni’s recognition of Katabaazi’s bravery serves as a symbol of appreciation for those who go above and beyond to uphold law and order within their communities while seeking justice for victims like Eng. Daniel Bbosa