KAMPALA – The family of slain NGO worker Maria Nagirinya has described the police as grossly incompetent and insensitive from the manner in which they handled the kidnap of their daughter and her driver.
The bodies of Nagirinya and her driver, Ronald Kitayimbwa, were discovered on Friday near a swamp at Nakitutuli along the Mukono-Kayunga road in Nama Sub County. The bodies were found covered with dry grass and had cuts on the head.
Speaking during the burial of Nagirinya at Kibuye in Makindye Division on Sunday, Dr Ben Mukwaya, a family member, who is also the director of Nsambya General Hospital, said Uganda does not deserve such a police force.
“We approached them [security] as soon as our girl was abducted only for them to turn up at 6.30pm the following day,” Dr Mukwaya said.
“I saw a level of detachment, incompetence, lack of empathy in handling this issue. It was us who headed the investigations at our own command centre as police sat back. What we have witnessed does not deserve this nation. Civilised nations are determined by the level of service delivery,” he added.
Nagirinya’s father, Mr Francis Lubowa, said God will punish his daughter’s killers.
“They killed her like a thief, using a hammer…I have not beaten her as she grew up. Whoever participated in killing my daughter, God will fight the war. I won’t fight you,” Mr Lubowa said.
Ms Brenda Nakyejjwe, the sister of the deceased, narrated how she witnessed her sister’s abduction.
“I saw a man in a white shirt and red jacket on the steering of her car. I looked at him and tried to stop the car but the man sped away as my sister cried,” Nakyejjwe said.
Nagirinya’s widower, Mr Edgar Gateni, praised his wife for loving him.
“We were due to celebrate our first marriage anniversary. I am asking why me? Why take my wife exactly one year after our marriage? The last two days the communication was like she was saying goodbye. I had asked her that every night don’t move alone. All our dreams have been shattered. I am speaking to you with a lot of pain. I pray that God gives you [Nagirinya] a peaceful rest,” Mr Gateni said.
The deceased was a project manager at Community Integrated Development Initiative (CIDI).
Meanwhile, the President called the family and assured them of full investigations. He also gave Shs10m as condolences.
The police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga, said the IGP has ordered the Police Standards Unit to investigate the incident. “A report will be out soon,” Mr Enanga added.
