Who Killed Ibrahim Abiriga? One Of Uganda’s Top Unsolved Assassination Cases

In June 2018, Uganda was shaken by the tragic assassination of Ibrahim Abiriga, the Member of Parliament for Arua Municipality. He was gunned down near his home in Kawanda, Wakiso District, in a shocking attack that sent waves of grief and outrage across the country.

Abiriga was killed as he approached his residence, alongside his brother and bodyguard, Saidi Buga Kongo. According to eyewitnesses, two unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle intercepted his yellow Volkswagen Beetle and opened fire. The attackers quickly fled the scene and vanished without a trace.

To this day, the murder of Ibrahim Abiriga remains unresolved—joining a list of high-profile killings in Uganda whose perpetrators have not been brought to justice. Similar cases include the deaths of Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi, MP Cerinah Nebanda, and Senior Principal State Attorney Joan Kagezi.

Before joining Parliament, Abiriga had a long career in public service. He served as the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Arua District from 2001 for over a decade, before being transferred to Yumbe in the same role. In 2016, he resigned from his RDC position to successfully contest the Arua Municipality parliamentary seat.

His assassination drew widespread condemnation and renewed public concern over the safety of government officials. At the time, there was a disturbing pattern of targeted killings of high-ranking figures—even those with security details—sparking national debate on the state of law enforcement and protection in the country.

In recent years, such high-profile assassinations appear to have declined. While challenges remain, many observers believe that improvements in the country’s security operations may be partly responsible for the reduction in such attacks.

Hon. Abiriga’s legacy remains in the hearts of many, not only for his political service but also for the symbol he became in Uganda’s evolving political landscape.