Lukwago Condemns KCCA Toddler Death Michael Ntezza Lukwago addressing journalists in Kampala recently (Photo: Kenneth Kazibwe) Impeached Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has joined Presidency Minister Frank Tumwebaze to condemn the negligence at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) that could have led to the death of Ryan Ssemaganda, a toddler at the city authority’s premises on Tuesday. “I am profoundly touched and saddened to learn that a two year kid was fatally crashed by a KCCA vehicle within the precincts of City Hall as the mother was in the dock on account of street vending,” charged Lukwago. “As a leader, it makes me squirm to imagine that because of impunity and/or anarchy reigning in Kampala, such heinous crime(s) may not be atoned for.” Baguma Anwali who was driving a car belonging to KCCA, dragged the two-year-old toddler on the ground, with blood flowing on the ground endlessly. “We heard a loud bang followed by a short scream and then total silence. Ssemaganda’s bones were smashed. His brain spilled on the ground as Baguma looked on helpless and terrified,” recounted Jane Amajo who witnessed the accident. Tumwebaze said the death of the toddler is an “act of negligence which I do not take lightly” and also shows “security laxity within KCCA.” He added: “Whether the child had an attendant or not, the KCCA security should have the capacity to detect any movement within the court and its entire premises especially of a child reported to have moved away undetected from its minders.” The Minister also noted that while KCCA officials are entitled to maintain an orderly city, “we encourage them to perform their duties but responsibly.” The condemnations come against the backdrop of a huge public outcry over the manner in which KCCA enforcement officers continue to brutalise unarmed civilians. Sections of the public have since urged KCCA boss, Jennifer Musisi to “humanise” the authority’s operations. Musisi on Wednesday described as a “a very sad” and “unfortunate incidence”, adding, “We are working with the bereaved family on funeral arrangements.” But Lukwago who was impeached as Mayor said, “We shall nevertheless continue making a clarion call to all stakeholders (the President inclusive) to appreciate that trade order, and/or transformation of Kampala in general, calls for strategic planning which entails comprehensive micro and macroeconomic policies as opposed to spurious and brutal methods.” Musisi said Ssemaganda’s mother had been arrested and kept under police detention at Kampala Central Police Station, a day before she was delivered to be charged at City Hall Court. Musisi noted that, two relatives who were later identified as the mother of the detainee and another person came with the baby to see the suspect at the court. “In the course of their stay, the baby strayed away and went down the slope into the parking lot behind KCCA Head Quarters which has mature foliage forming the gardens,” Musisi said in a statement. Musisi continued to state that the driver of the KCCA car in question drove into the parking lot and after dropping staff, reversed out. “This is when he accidentally ran over the child, who had just emerged from the foliage,” the ED held.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 09:31:50 +0000
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