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Ugandan minister survives assassination attempt ahead of Thursday polls

Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 12:20 | By
Mr. Baltazar Kasirivu's car that was riddled with bullets in the assassination attempt PHOTO/COURTESY

A Ugandan Minister who is seeking re-election into Parliament in the Thursday polls was on Wednesday attacked by unknown gunmen who fired at his vehicle severally.

According to the Daily Monitor, Baltazar Kasirivu-Atwooki, the Minister of State for the Vice Presidency, also the Bugangaizi West Member of Parliament was ambushed at Kakora Village, Kakumiro District of Uganda a few moments past midnight.

The minister in President Yoweri Museveni's government is said to have been returning home from a radio session at Emambya FM in Kakumiro. His car was shot severally but he managed to escape unhurt with his driver. Kasirivu said the attack could have been politically instigated ahead of Thursday's General Election.

Baltazar Kasirivu-Atwooki. Source: Uganda Parliament

“They almost finished our lives. As we were approaching my home at a swampy place, unknown people who were armed with guns opened fire on us. As gunfire raged, I told the driver to speed off and that is how we escaped unhurt. I don’t know who was behind this attack but I have informed the police. It was a miracle for me to survive,” Kasirivu told Daily Monitor.

According to the minister's bodyguard, the gunmen were firing from both sides of the road. Kakumiro District police boss confirmed the shooting incident and said investigations had commenced.

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