Accessed on Saturday 17th September, 2016 from http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Rape-claims-spark-fresh-Rwenzori-attacks/688334-3383990-m9nq13/index.html
The Preliminary police investigations into the cause of the renewed
attacks in Rwenzori point to a tribal quarrel over an alleged ‘rape’
that turned bloody, leaving two policemen, four suspected attackers
killed and several others injured
Saturday September 17 2016
The Preliminary police investigations into the cause of the renewed
attacks in Rwenzori point to a tribal quarrel over an alleged ‘rape’
that turned bloody, leaving two policemen, four suspected attackers
killed and several others injured
Saturday September 17 2016
Police patrol Kabonero Sub-county, Kabarole District on Thursday. Photo by Felix Basiime
Kampala. Police
authorities have blamed the death of six people in Rwenzori sub-region
on a quarrel between a Mutooro boy who allegedly attempted to rape a
Mukonzo girl at Butara B village in Kabonero sub county in Kabarole
District on Tuesday.
The Preliminary police investigations into the cause of the renewed attacks in Rwenzori point to a tribal quarrel over an alleged ‘rape’ that turned bloody, leaving two policemen, four suspected attackers killed and several others injured.
The Rwenzori police spokesperson, Ms Lydia Tumushabe, told Saturday Monitor that the tension brewed when the Batooro, who had allegedly been assaulted, reported the matter to police who rushed to the area to arrest the suspects.
The suspects were arrested on suspicion that they had assaulted the rape suspect and others.
However, the Bakonzo in the area protested the arrests of their tribe mates and reportedly attacked a team of police officers in order to secure their release.
“The attackers were armed with two guns, spears and arrows and killed Assistant Inspector of Police Simon Peter Apire and police constable Salvario Ochema,” she said.
“The attackers also injured police officers Francisco Nsimaki, Benon Byaki and Ojok Polycarp,” Ms Tumushabe added.
She said the attackers were killed in self-defence, adding that those who had guns shot and injured Mr Ojok in the leg before they escaped.
Since Wednesday, a combined force of police and UPDF soldiers has been deployed in the area to restore calm as community policing is going.
Meanwhile, Rwenzururu Kingdom has refuted media reports labelling the Kabarole clashes as tribal clashes between Bakonzo and Batooro ethnic tribes.
According to a statement from the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu spokesperson, Mr Clearance Bwambale Mumbahya, “the cultural institution regrets the Tooro killings but denies reports that the killings originated from a tribal clash hatched by Bakonzo against Batooro”.
“The attackers represent no tribe and reports by the Rwenzori regional police spokesperson referring the issue as if the Bakonzo and Batooro are in tribal clashes should be withdrawn immediately,” Mr Bwambale said on Thursday.
Police accused
The institution further accused police of rushing to the media to comment on the matters without carrying out thorough investigations.
“How can a sexual affair turn tribal? Because according to information gathered from the Kabonero Sub-county chairperson in Kabarole District, Mr John Kyaligonza, the fight erupted from sexual affair on Idd day.”
“It is from this incident that the brawl escalated into a clash after the suspect was released from Nyakigumba police station,” he added.
The Kabarole Resident District Commissioner, Mr Steven Asiimwe claimed that the attackers were part of the armed group that attacked the region in July 2014 and March this year.
Mr Tumushabe said burial arrangements of the dead will depend on the programme of the bereaved families.
Calm restored
Serenity, has however, been restored in the area. The sub-region is a hotbed of ethnic and land conflicts.
Previously, police have blamed the attacks on security installations and internal clashes in Rwenzori sub-region on witchcraft and money that are believed to be fuelling the conflict.
editorial@ug.nationmedia.com
The Preliminary police investigations into the cause of the renewed attacks in Rwenzori point to a tribal quarrel over an alleged ‘rape’ that turned bloody, leaving two policemen, four suspected attackers killed and several others injured.
The Rwenzori police spokesperson, Ms Lydia Tumushabe, told Saturday Monitor that the tension brewed when the Batooro, who had allegedly been assaulted, reported the matter to police who rushed to the area to arrest the suspects.
The suspects were arrested on suspicion that they had assaulted the rape suspect and others.
However, the Bakonzo in the area protested the arrests of their tribe mates and reportedly attacked a team of police officers in order to secure their release.
“The attackers were armed with two guns, spears and arrows and killed Assistant Inspector of Police Simon Peter Apire and police constable Salvario Ochema,” she said.
“The attackers also injured police officers Francisco Nsimaki, Benon Byaki and Ojok Polycarp,” Ms Tumushabe added.
She said the attackers were killed in self-defence, adding that those who had guns shot and injured Mr Ojok in the leg before they escaped.
Since Wednesday, a combined force of police and UPDF soldiers has been deployed in the area to restore calm as community policing is going.
Meanwhile, Rwenzururu Kingdom has refuted media reports labelling the Kabarole clashes as tribal clashes between Bakonzo and Batooro ethnic tribes.
According to a statement from the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu spokesperson, Mr Clearance Bwambale Mumbahya, “the cultural institution regrets the Tooro killings but denies reports that the killings originated from a tribal clash hatched by Bakonzo against Batooro”.
“The attackers represent no tribe and reports by the Rwenzori regional police spokesperson referring the issue as if the Bakonzo and Batooro are in tribal clashes should be withdrawn immediately,” Mr Bwambale said on Thursday.
Police accused
The institution further accused police of rushing to the media to comment on the matters without carrying out thorough investigations.
“How can a sexual affair turn tribal? Because according to information gathered from the Kabonero Sub-county chairperson in Kabarole District, Mr John Kyaligonza, the fight erupted from sexual affair on Idd day.”
“It is from this incident that the brawl escalated into a clash after the suspect was released from Nyakigumba police station,” he added.
The Kabarole Resident District Commissioner, Mr Steven Asiimwe claimed that the attackers were part of the armed group that attacked the region in July 2014 and March this year.
Mr Tumushabe said burial arrangements of the dead will depend on the programme of the bereaved families.
Calm restored
Serenity, has however, been restored in the area. The sub-region is a hotbed of ethnic and land conflicts.
Previously, police have blamed the attacks on security installations and internal clashes in Rwenzori sub-region on witchcraft and money that are believed to be fuelling the conflict.
editorial@ug.nationmedia.com
