President Museveni meets representatives of the
different tribes in Kasese District at State House, Entebbe on Thursday. PHOTO
BY PPU
Two people
have been shot dead and four soldiers critically injured in an attack in Hima
town council in fresh ethnic violence in Kasese district
(http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Fresh-ethnic-clashes-erupt-Kasese/688334-3113330-format-xhtml-f6lx37z/index.html)
SATURDAY
MARCH 12 2016
In Summary
Crisis. Police
say attackers were holding deadly weapons.
By Enid Ninsiima, Moris Mumbere
& Felix Basiime
KASESE. Two people have
been shot dead and four soldiers critically injured in an attack in Hima town
council in fresh ethnic violence in Kasese district.
The attacks are believed to have been triggered by ethnic conflicts stemming from the sub-county elections in the district this week in which the opposition again swept most of the seats. It is alleged that a group of more than 60 people armed with guns, spears and machetes on Thursday at around 10pm, attacked and speared three UPDF soldiers who were on night foot patrol at Kikonzo village, Kendahi Ward in Hima town council before the soldiers killed two in alleged self-defence.
The attacks are believed to have been triggered by ethnic conflicts stemming from the sub-county elections in the district this week in which the opposition again swept most of the seats. It is alleged that a group of more than 60 people armed with guns, spears and machetes on Thursday at around 10pm, attacked and speared three UPDF soldiers who were on night foot patrol at Kikonzo village, Kendahi Ward in Hima town council before the soldiers killed two in alleged self-defence.
The Regional
Police Commander for Rwenzori East, Mr Bob Kagarura, confirmed the attack on
Thursday night.
“We have been attacked by people from the mountains. As I speak, two people have already died and three of our soldiers are critically injured,” said Kagarura.
“We have been attacked by people from the mountains. As I speak, two people have already died and three of our soldiers are critically injured,” said Kagarura.
He said the
attackers were holding deadly weapons such as guns, spears and pangas
(machetes). Among the dead were commanders of the group that attacked the
soldiers.
“As soldiers were on night patrol, a group of over 60 people singing Mai Mai and dressed in navy blue trousers and black new boots attacked them, started stabbing them on arms, backs and foreheads before soldiers defended themselves by killing two on the spot” said Mr Kagarura.
“As soldiers were on night patrol, a group of over 60 people singing Mai Mai and dressed in navy blue trousers and black new boots attacked them, started stabbing them on arms, backs and foreheads before soldiers defended themselves by killing two on the spot” said Mr Kagarura.
He identified
the injured as Cpl Moses Ssentongo, Cpl Rwot Owengyo, Cpl James Otodde and
Lance Cpl Matiya Senyonga all attached to Hima-Kaveera army barracks in Kasese.
They were admitted to Kilembe Hospital. He said those who had guns among the
attackers quickly disappeared while the rest vainly tried to grab guns from the
soldiers.
The bodies of the attackers who are yet to be identified, were taken to Kilembe hospital. Other attackers reportedly vanished into the bushes.
The bodies of the attackers who are yet to be identified, were taken to Kilembe hospital. Other attackers reportedly vanished into the bushes.
“We have
arrested four people in a cordon-and-search operation at night while others had
been arrested earlier during the post-election demonstration that happened
during the day,” Kagarura said.
He said earlier, security had sensed danger when many people started descending down to attack police posts, including Kithoma in Buhuhira sub-county.
Earlier on Thursday, police fired tear gas in Hima town as they tried to disperse crowds that had started burning houses in protests.
He said earlier, security had sensed danger when many people started descending down to attack police posts, including Kithoma in Buhuhira sub-county.
Earlier on Thursday, police fired tear gas in Hima town as they tried to disperse crowds that had started burning houses in protests.
How it started
The attacks came in a day after an independent candidate, Mr Tom Wabukombi, lost to the incumbent Mr Musana Katura (NRM) by 200 votes in the Hima Local Council chairperson elections.
Prior to the attack, a house of one of the supporters of Wabukombi was set ablaze after he was suspected to have caused the defeat of their candidate by allegedly having undercover dealings with their opponent.
The attacks came in a day after an independent candidate, Mr Tom Wabukombi, lost to the incumbent Mr Musana Katura (NRM) by 200 votes in the Hima Local Council chairperson elections.
Prior to the attack, a house of one of the supporters of Wabukombi was set ablaze after he was suspected to have caused the defeat of their candidate by allegedly having undercover dealings with their opponent.
The 305 Brigade
army spokesperson, Lt Amos Nsamba, said security agencies had combed the whole
village in a hunt for the attackers. He said there is need to encourage leaders
to avoid misleading their followers in a manner that will not develop Uganda.
The attack in Kasese comes on the day after Presidenti Museveni had just warned against tribal chauvinism in Kasese district. In a March 10 press statement, the president said: “There can never be a Yiira Republic.”
The attack in Kasese comes on the day after Presidenti Museveni had just warned against tribal chauvinism in Kasese district. In a March 10 press statement, the president said: “There can never be a Yiira Republic.”
President
Museveni was meeting a delegation of the minority tribes in Kasese who were
complaining about marginalisation in Kasese district. Some of the minority
tribes were also talking of a scheme to create a Yiira Republic involving the
Bakonjo of Congo and the Bakonjo of Uganda.
The minority groups represented were the Basongora, the Banyabindi, the Bagabo and the Bakyingwe [Banyabutumbi] as well as some other immigrant tribes [Bafurukyi].
The President assured the delegation that if a Yiira Republic was ever to be created, it would never ever involve a single inch of Ugandan territory.
The minority groups represented were the Basongora, the Banyabindi, the Bagabo and the Bakyingwe [Banyabutumbi] as well as some other immigrant tribes [Bafurukyi].
The President assured the delegation that if a Yiira Republic was ever to be created, it would never ever involve a single inch of Ugandan territory.
Previously
Similar incidents happened in the neighbouring Bundibugyo district last month after the incumbent district chairman, Mr Jolly Tibemanya (Independent) lost to Mr Ronald Mutegeki (NRM) in a hotly contested race. The attacks left over 10 people dead in Kirumya Bughendera County.
Similar incidents happened in the neighbouring Bundibugyo district last month after the incumbent district chairman, Mr Jolly Tibemanya (Independent) lost to Mr Ronald Mutegeki (NRM) in a hotly contested race. The attacks left over 10 people dead in Kirumya Bughendera County.
editorial@ug.nationmedia.com
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