Ugandan blogger and critic Isma Olaxxes shot dead in Kyanja

Ugandan blogger Isma Olaxxes charged over inciting violence, granted bail
Social media blogger Ibrahim Tusubira aka Isma Olaxxes

Kampala, Uganda | URN | Renowned Ugandan blogger and critic, Ibrahim Tusibira aka Isma Olaxxes aka Jajja Ichuli was shot dead at 9:20 pm on Saturday 6, May 2023 night near his home in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb, a few days after he celebrated the death of former state minister for Labour, Charles Engola.

Engola was shot dead on Tuesday 2, May 2023 morning by his own bodyguard Private Wilson Sabiti inside his home also in Kyanja before also shooting himself following disagreements over unpaid salary and allowances. Ichuli would afterwards accuse government officials of treating their lower-ranked staff as trash, saying even more will be killed.

The former Swedish-based painter-cum-blogger, Isma Olaxxes is said to have been shot dead at together with his driver while traveling in his motor vehicle in Kyanja.

Ichuli’s shooting is reminiscent of the previous killings of former Buyende district police commander Muhammad Kirumira, former police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi and former MP Ibrahim Abiriga who were attacked from all sides, and their vehicles showered with bullets.

Ichuli has been an outspoken critic and he had made a career out of attacking the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party and its president Robert Kyagulanyi.

In fact, following the November 2020 riots in which as per government’s own admission over 56 were shot dead, Ichuli said security ought to have killed more opposition supporters so as to show Kyagulanyi and his supporters how the state is in charge. He would, later on, apologise for the reckless statements, saying he made them at the peak of presidential election campaigns when emotions were very.

It is not only opposition supporters who tasted his bitter tongue, he previously attacked prime minister Robinah Nabbanja, Speaker Anita Among, and businessman Hamis Kiggundu among others though by the time of his death he’d made up with them and would publicly admit to now working for them.

This week, blogger Isma Olaxxes again vented out his frustration with the government, saying they had ‘used’ him during a volatile campaign and had now abandoned and dumped him. He’d vowed not to campaign for the ruling party ever again come 2026, saying they often forget about their foot soldiers as soon they regain power.

According to earlier interviews that he conducted, he lived in Sweden before he got deported to Uganda. He set up a painting company but has always been complaining about the lack of contracts.

Meanwhile, the Uganda Police has released an official statement about Isma Olaxxes’s death. According to police, an unidentified gunman with an SMG opened fire on the car, and Jajja Ichuli, who was seated in the passenger seat at the time of the attack, was shot dead.

Full statement issued by police over the shooting of Isma Olaxxes

PRESS STATEMENT

[Date: May 6, 2023]

Shooting Incident in Kyanja Central Zone

The Territorial Police at Kira Road is actively investigating a tragic shooting incident that occurred today at approximately 9:20 PM in Kyanja Central Zone. It is with deep regret that we report the unfortunate demise of Tusubilwa Ibrahim, also known as Isma Olaxxes, popularly known as Jaja Ichuli. The incident took place while Mr. Tusubilwa Ibrahim was traveling in his motor vehicle, registered under number UBK 213D, with his driver, Mr. Waswa Mathias.

Preliminary reports indicate that an unidentified gunman armed with an SMG opened fire on the vehicle, resulting in the fatal shooting of Tusubilwa Ibrahim, who was seated in the passenger seat at the time of the attack. Our dedicated task teams are currently on the ground, working diligently to gather all available evidence and conduct thorough investigations into this heinous crime.

As a precautionary measure, the area has been cordoned off to ensure the safety of the public and to facilitate the ongoing investigation process. We assure the public that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice and provide answers to this senseless act of violence.

We understand the concerns and anxieties arising from this incident. We urge residents to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities as we work towards resolving this case swiftly.

We will continue to update the public with relevant information as soon as it becomes available.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Tusubilwa Ibrahim during this difficult time.

-END-

ASP Luk Owoyesigyire

DEPUTY PRO KMP