President Yoweri Museveni has condemned the killing of Ibrahim Tusubira, a blogger and vlogger who went by the name Isma Ichuli. In a statement, Museveni referred to those responsible for the killing as “pigs” and emphasized that his government does not support the use of violence against unarmed opponents. He argued that killing critics only shows that a position is false and that the killer cannot out-argue an opponent.
Museveni promised that the criminal responsible for Tusubira’s death would be traced and punished. He cited previous cases in which suspected killers were brought to justice, such as the Bijambiya in Masaka and the Kiddawalime group. The President expressed sympathy to Tusubira’s family and assured Ugandans that his government would stand with them in seeking justice.
Museveni went on to criticize extrajudicial killings, stating that the NRM, NRA, FRONASA, and UPDF only kill people in combat and never use assassination or killing captives or prisoners. He pointed to a specific example involving Christopher Gala, a former police commander who was captured by the NRA in 1984 but later released unharmed. When Gala reported back to the UPC government in Kampala, President Obote asked him why the guerrillas did not kill him. Gala responded by saying that “those people do not kill people, except in combat.”
In his statement, Museveni urged Ugandans to remember the victims of past atrocities, such as the public executions carried out by Idi Amin in February 1973. He argued that such actions do not help those in power and cited Amin’s eventual downfall as evidence.
The President’s statement also included a personal message to Tusubira’s family, in which he expressed his condolences and promised to deliver “mataaba,” a traditional Buganda expression of sympathy. The State House Comptroller will handle the delivery.
Tusubira, also known as Isma Ichuli, was a popular blogger and vlogger known for his commentary on current events in Uganda. He was reportedly shot dead in what is being described as a targeted killing by Uganda Police.
