East African Gazette
Kampala
The concept of a hero often feels distant to many of us. We tend to associate heroes with individuals who possess extraordinary qualities that set them apart from the rest. However, this belief is misguided.
Heroes are not born; they are made. Becoming a hero does not require formal training. What truly matters are the choices we make, the sense of urgency we exhibit, and the impact of those choices on the people around us.
This means that anyone, regardless of age, including you and me, has the potential to be a hero.
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“True heroism is remarkably sober, very dramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others, at whatever cost,” according to Arthur Ashes.
Abdul Katabaazi, a Boda-boda rider and plumber from Lungunja in Rugaga Division, the Uganda-Capital Kampala, today lives to recount how he emerged as a hero by leading fellow Boda boda riders in a courageous pursuit of the assailants who fatally shot the Buganda Kingdom clan leader Engineer Daniel Bboosa.
Bboosa, aged 72 and also the director of Transa Electrical, was attacked and killed as he approached his residence in Kikandwa zone at around 6pm.
In most cases, when assassins strike, people flee in fear of stray bullets. This fear often allows the assailants to escape after committing the crime.
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However, Katabaazi’s actions were quite different. Many still question his state of mind during the incident, with some suggesting he may have been under some form of influence.
Though he was not armed Katabaazi did not flee upon witnessing the shooting. Ignored by the assailants, he raised an alarm, but people had already dispersed for safety.
As the attackers attempted to escape on their motorcycle, Katabaazi fearlessly chose to pursue them alone, continuously sounding the alarm. He was later joined by another Boda-boda driver, which bolstered his determination.
“When they heard us making more alarm, now the one who was armed charged the gun to shoot us, but accidentally, the gun fell down in the wheels of their motorcycle. This gave me the nerve to knock them down,” he narrates.
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“The two jumped off and took off, and my colleague continued chasing them, but the killer assailant, Noah Lujja, remained trying to regain the gun in his possession,” Katabaazi adds.
Katabazi managed to overpower the assailant by leaping forward and seizing him while he fought to obtain the gun from the wheels. Fortunately, he successfully subdued the assailant until additional individuals arrived at the scene.
“I restrained him on the ground as I possessed more energy than him. His only source of strength was the gun, and he continued to struggle in an attempt to reach it. However, I was determined not to let him succeed. Within a few minutes, additional individuals came to assist me,” he adds.
Katabazi also managed to convince the angry mob from killing one of the assailants, while Enock Sserunkuma, another suspect, was apprehended by the mob and instantly killed. The third suspect, however, managed to escape.
“People wanted to kill both of them, but I pleaded with them not to kill another, because we wouldn’t know who sent them to kill my friend. Until police arrived and he was rescued,”Katabazi notes.
Added on the list of heroes
Katabazi’s courageous action has gained him widespread recognition, making him a topic of discussion not only within the country but also internationally.
This remarkable feat has even caught the attention of the President of Uganda, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa. In recognition of his bravery in apprehending the assassins, Katabaazi was honored with the prestigious Nalubaale Medal, which was presented to him during a Cabinet meeting at State House Entebbe on March 4, 2024.
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The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, jointly presented the award.
The Nalubaale Medal is bestowed by the President upon civilian activists who have made significant contributions to Uganda’s political development, whether through armed struggle or civil disobedience, as outlined in Section (3) of the National Honours and Awards Act, 2001. During the ceremony, Katabaazi shared with President Museveni the details of how he, along with other boda boda riders, pursued and apprehended the assassins.
Katabaazi expressed his gratitude to President Museveni for acknowledging him with a medal and granting him the opportunity to meet him.
President Museveni praised Katabaazi for his courage and dedication to a noble cause.
He congratulated Katabaazi on his heroic actions and likened him to a bush war fighter, just like himself.
Additionally, the President promised to honor and assist other boda boda riders who were involved in apprehending the assassins.