ISO takes over investigations into man ‘crucified’ for supporting NRM

The Internal Security Organisation has taken over investigations into the circumstances under which a man was over three months ago attacked by unidentified men who drove 6-inch nails in his hands for allegedly supporting the National Resistance Army.

Baker Kasumba,23 a  resident of Avis Kivvulu, in Kawempe Division was attacked on August 28 as he returned home from work.

According to ISO Director General, Col.Kaka, the security agency is concerned over the growing culture of political violence that he said needs to be checked.

“In the past, before the NRA went to the bush, it was being done as a culture or hobby where the state was unleashing political violence through youth wingers. However, there is an insurgency this time through the opposition,” Kaka said.

“The culture of intolerance can’t take the country anywhere. Youths need to learn the culture of political tolerance if they are to nurture democracy.”

The ISO chief, however, noted that political violence is not only exhibited by opposition politicians but also some in the ruling NRM party that he termed as crooks who do it for their own selfish benefit.

“There are some crooks within the NRM who are using intimidation. It is as if they are in a competition. We need to fight this political intolerance,” Col.Kaka said.

He noted that currently, the victim of the August 28 attack is currently undergoing psychiatric and physiotherapy treatment.

Victim speaks out

Baker Kasumba, the victim, for the first time spoke out on the attack which he said happened at around 8 and 9 pm at Kalerwe.

He said that on the fateful day, he left work at around 7 pm because it was threatening to rain and because it was still early, he decided to visit his aunt in Kalerwe.

 “As I walked, I was surrounded by a group of four people who grabbed me by the neck and dragged me to a nearby trench. I panicked to give them all the money I had but they told me they didn’t want my money,”Kasumba, a street vendor in the city centre said.

He noted that on the fateful day, he had with him shs77000 and that despite handing it to his attackers, they ignored it.

“One of them said he had earlier warned me against putting on a yellow beret.  The next thing I heard was pain as they hit something like a hammer into my palms,” the 23-year-old said.

He said that from then, he heard his attackers take off as a group of ladies came to his rescue.

Asked whether he had ever received any threats, Kasumba said while at work, several people asked him to put off the yellow NRM beret but he always ignored them.

“One of those is a man with whom we exchanged words for telling me to remove my yellow beret. The man I didn’t know told me I would face it rough if I continued to put on the beret.  I later ignored him and resumed by work,” he noted.

Kasumba, however, said he can’t remember the face of the man whom he said had threatened him.

The 23-year-old P.6 drop out said it is appalling that he was being attacked for just putting on yellow beret yet he bought it using his own money.

“Attacking me for just a yellow beret is stupid. Everyone can support what they want. I had some people saying I was faking it but why would I harm myself because of money?”

The ruling NRM party recently announced they had footed bills for Kasumba whom they transferred from Mulago to a private hospital.

Reports of a man ‘crucified’ for supporting NRM should be taken with a pinch of salt- Bobi Wine

 

 

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