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Uganda: Stop Misuse of Fire Arms - Activists
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New Vision (Kampala)
7 June 2008
Posted to the web 9 June 2008
Patrick Jaramogi
Kampala
KK security personnel look at Okitui, a bullet victim who was shot by his boss at New Uganda Security and is now admited at Mulago Hospital
The Uganda Action Network on small arms and light weapons has urged the Government to control the rampant misuse of firearms that has left many wounded and maimed.
"Majority of the victims with gunshot wounds are inflicted by official guns," said Rev. Canon Joyce Nima, the organisation co-ordinator.
Nima, who led the press, the clergy and a team from her organisation, on Thursday visited some victims admitted at Mulago hospital after sustaining bullet wounds.
A sombre mood hang as the team talked to the six victims whose legs were hanging at the various hospital beds located in wards 2A, 2B and 3C.
"I have been here for the last three months. I met my fate when our armoury officer shot me in the leg after my night duty," said Paul Okitui, a private security guard.
Nima said legally held guns are as dangerous as illegal ones. "We also need to address gender-based violence. We have learnt that women also hire thugs to attack their rivals and this is on the increase. We condemn this act and urge the Government to address it," she said.
"Although law enforcement in most countries focuses on illegal handguns and crime, legal firearms are the primary weapons used in domestic homicide," she said.
Makerere University Business School Chaplain Rev. Canon Grace Ndyabahika said: "The Church should stress parental care. We need to teach our congregation to love one another and to respect life."
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Mulago hospital publicist Eliphaz Ssekabira identified the six victims as James Kitwi, Benon Abaho, who was shot by a State House operative at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Moses Tumwesigye, Paul Tumusiime and Paul Ringwegi.
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