Hundreds of mourners walked from Nyendo-Masaka town to Bukomansimbi district to bury the three-year-old girl who was shot and killed during Thursday's riots in Masaka.
Abigail Nalwanga, was shot and killed inside their house at Kitaka Zone in Nyendo-Ssenyange division, shortly after the walk to work protests escalated into violence.
Six other people were shot and injured during the protests in Nyendo, but are responding well to treatment.
Paul Mugenyi, a reserve force operative attached to Nyendo Reserve force central barrack s was arrested in connection with the infant's death.
Noah Sserunjogi, the Southern Region police spokesperson, says Mugenyi, a resident of Misaali zone also in Nyendo allegedly stormed Kitaka zone chasing protesters and instead of shooting in the air, aimed the barrel of the gun inside the house where the infant was, shot and killed her.
Nalwanga died of extensive bleeding resulting from the bullet which hit and almost opened her skull. He says police is investigating why Mugenyi aimed live bullets inside the house and he faces murder charges.
On Friday, the body of Nalwanga was taken to Misanvu village in Kibinge sub county, Bukomansimbi district for burial amid a somber mood.
The mourners demanded that Nalwanga be declared a hero, because she died innocently as protesters walked to work to sensitize government about the need to do something about rising cost of living.
Henry Busuulwa, the Chairperson Ssuubi 2011 Nyendo-Ssenyange division, says they have given police and soldiers an ultimatum to either release all the detained 40 suspects or they are going to declare war on police and soldiers on Easter Monday.
Bussuulwa also says they want Nyendo central Reserve force barracks transferred from the area immediately because the operatives attached to it is now a security threat.
The residents are also demanding for the disarmament of all local defense unit operatives and reserve forces in Masaka town on allegations that they have turned into armed robbers as well.
But Kizza Mayanja, the Masaka district Internal Security Officer, under whose office local defense and reserve forces operatives operate, has declined to speak on the allegations. He says he is not authorized to speak to the journalists.
The family of the killed girl has not commented on the matter because by press time, they were still busy organizing burial ceremony.
Currently, calm has returned to both Nyendo and Masaka town after a day of violent clashes.
But UPDF soldiers have taken over security in the area and are also manning Nyendo Central police after protesters overran it on Thursday.
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