The Bundibugyo district attacks that happened over the weekend have left at least 75 attackers dead, five policemen killed, one soldier killed and four children dead.
On Saturday afternoon, Bundibugyo town was turned into a battlefield after the a group of thugs armed with pangas, spears and guns attacked the district’s main police station, the Resident District Commissioner’s home, Stanbic bank and the Kanyamwirima army barracks.
There was a heavy exchange of gunfire when the police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) joined effort to stop the attackers.
Ms Polly Namaye, the deputy spokesperson of Police has confirmed that the clashes have left 75 attackers killed and five policemen dead.
Speaking Monday on NTV morning programme, Namaye has said the police are still camped in Bundibugyo to ensure no other attack happens.
Some area leaders have been arrested and are suspects in these tribal attacks. Ms Namaye has said, “There are elements of leadership that are involved in inciting violence in the area.”
The 2nd deputy Prime Minister of Rwenzururu Kingdom, Yeremiya Mutoro was yesterday arrested and is currently detained at Bundibugyo Police Station.
The Deputy Police spokesperson has also revealed that the police lost over 22 guns and arrested 80 suspects who are in police custody.
“We are trying to ensure that we are on top of the situation. We are deployed quite heavily in Bundibugyo,” she added.
The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura and the Commander of the Special Forces, Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba are now in Bundibugyo.
Who Is Responsible For The Attacks?
The attacks are attributed to the tribal tensions since most of the attackers are linked to the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu, a Bukonjo cultural institution.
However, Ms Namaye has this morning said that they have not ruled out the possibility of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) being involved since the attacks happened in the areas where they were active.
“We are not ruling out that the ADF can attack us but the incident we have seen is tribal,” said Namaye.
“The methods of terrorists are not that open, they are divergent. We shall use whatever means we can to protect Ugandans,” she added.
The big question is who is behind the the attacks? — Paddy Ankunda (@defenceuganda) July 6, 2014
In a statement by the Rwenzururu Prime Minister, Noah Nzaghale, he blamed the clashes on bad elements in leadership who took advantage of the ethnic misunderstandings to launch their attacks. On Sunday, the 2nd deputy Prime Minister of Rwenzururu Kingdom, Yeremiya Mutoro was arrested and detained at Bundibugyo Police Station.
In Kasese district, on Staurday, a group of men suspected to be radical elements linked to the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu, a Bukonjo cultural institution attacked policemen guarding the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) weighbridge at Katungulu along the Mbarara-Kasese highway. Another group attacked a village in Kitswamba Sub County killed a soldier and his three children.
If ethnic militias attack an army barracks and police, what will happen when its their turn to seek protection? — Paddy Ankunda (@defenceuganda) July 6, 2014
Mr Aminadabu Muhindo, the deputyResident Commissioner said the attacks were tribal between the Bakonjo and Basongora.
The Police spokesperson, FredEnanga also ruled ut the possibility of the ADF wondering why they would attack only the Basongora tribesmen. “These are not rebels neither terrorists,” he is quoted by Daily Monitor.
The UPDF spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda said the Kasese, Bundibugyo attacks were linked to tribal differences not ADF and they were stopped by the army.
He said, “Police set to investigate who is behind attacks by local militias on government forces.”
“The big question is who is behind the attacks?” he asked.
Meanwhile, Namaye has called upon the public to be vigilant and observant and report anything or someone.
