Tension is simmering in Masaka Sub-region after unknown people issued leaflets warning of an attack on 10 people in Kimaanya / Kabonera Municipality in Masaka City.
The latest threatening messages, which are handwritten, were dropped at villages such as Kisoso, Kiteredde, Kimwanyi and Luteete - all in Kiteredde Parish in Kimaanya / Kabonera Municipality in Masaka City.
The message on the letters issued by yet to be unidentified individuals claims that they are going to attack residents and behead them as well as take their blood.
The messages have since caused anxiety among residents, who witnessed the past killings that claimed several lives in Masaka, Bukomansimbi and Lwengo Districts in the previous years.
"People of Kimwanyi, Kisoso, Kiteredde and neighbouring villages, forgive us, we had forgotten, we need blood of 10 people, thank you, but those are not many, we shall get others from other places, this year (from now until the end of December," one of the leaflets reads in part.
Fearful communities
The leaflets have left leaders and locals in fear, saying past attacks also started after threatening leaflets were circulated.
Several people were murdered in the past incident. Locals have urged the security authorities to come to their rescue.
Ms Mariam Nanyanzi, one of the residents of the villages on the list of the attackers, has asked police to increase security in their areas.
"Security authorities should not wait for the attackers to strike and start patrolling the area. The fact that they have dropped such leaflets, shows they may be able to execute their heinous acts as planned. We have heard about this before in the neighbouring areas and security should be beefed up as soon as possible," she said.
Improved security
Mr Ssettuba Mukiibi Sserunjogi, a resident of Kiteredde and area ward councillor, said security authorities should take the threats seriously because a lot of people lost their lives in previous attacks by machete-wielding thugs.
"We should learn from the past incidents and security agencies should do whatever possible to protect the citizens so that no one loses life this time round," he added.
Mr Emmanuel Buritte, the chairperson of Kisoso Village, said they have started mobilising themselves to start offering security to their villages as they wait for support from the security agencies.
"We are not taking these threats lightly, my committee is working out a plan on how to protect our village as we wait for support from security agencies," he said.
The Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Twaha Kasirye, said investigations had kicked off to establish who are behind the threats which have caused panic and fear among residents.
"We have taken the leaflets to experts to establish who could have written them," he added.
He said the threatening leaflets could be intended to cause fear among residents and urged them to stay alert.
"Let them report to the police any suspicious people in their communities," Mr Kasirye said.
Not again
In September last year, similar leaflets were dropped in Kamwozi and Katala Villages in Buwunga Sub-county, Masaka District.
In August 2022, leaflets were dropped in Masaka City, threatening to attack individuals, local leaders, Masaka armoured brigade barracks and institutions of learning.
The leaflets were dropped in villages of Kigamba and Kassijjagirwa, both located in Kimaanya / Kabonera Constituency, Masaka City.
These evoke memories of 2017 and 2021, where unknown people attacked villages in Greater Masaka, killing several people, especially old persons, after issuing threats of attacking locals.
At least 26 people were killed over unknown reasons.
PAST INCIDENTS
In September last year**, similar leaflets were dropped in Kamwozi and Katala Villages in Buwunga Sub-county, Masaka District.
In August 2022**, leaflets were dropped in Masaka City, threatening to attack individuals, local leaders, Masaka armoured brigade barracks and institutions of learning.
The leaflets were dropped in villages of Kigamba and Kassijjagirwa, both located in Kimaanya / Kabonera Masaka City.
These evoke memories of 2017 and 2021, where unknown people attacked villages in Greater Masaka, killing several people, especially old persons, after issuing threats of attacking locals.
At least 26 people were killed over unknown reasons.
