Gen Katumba Wamala has survived an assassination attempt after gunmen riding motorcycles shot at his military assigned vehicle.

According to witnesses, the gunmen were riding on two different motorcycles. This is a style of assassination that is not new to Uganda. Several high profile assassinations including from MP, Ibrahim Abiriga and former AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi.

The General who hardly moves with a lead car was travelling with his daughter, a bodyguard and a driver.

The assassins shot at the right side of his vehicle. The driver and Wamala’s daughter, Brenda Wamala were seated at the right side. According to reports, the two died at the scene. According to Ms Justine Nalongo from the Rotary Club of Ssesse Islands which the general is a part of, Katumba Wamala confirmed the death of his daughter on a phone call.

“He told me “I have been shot. My daughter is gone. My driver is gone”,” Ms Justine Nalongo told journalists.

Reports indicate that the General is safe and was rushed to Malcolm Hospital in Kisaasi. He was later moved to Medipal hospital on John Babiiha Avenue near the golf course.

Gen Katumba has been serving as Minister of Works and Transport in the Ugandan cabinet, since 14 December 2019.

He previously served as the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, the highest military rank in the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF), from 2013 until 2017.

He was the commander of land forces in the UPDF from 2005 to 2013. He also served as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Uganda Police Force (UPF), the highest rank in that branch of Uganda's government, from 2001 until 2005.

Wamala was the first active UPDF soldier to serve as the head of the UPF.