Gunmen kill six in Kasese, Bundibugyo
police with police dog visiting the scene of crime at Kahokya cell in central division of kasese municipality. Photo by Enid Nimusima
Kasese/Bundibugyo
Six people have been confirmed dead in two surprise and separate attacks in Kasese and Bundibugyo towns by unknown armed people on Saturday afternoon.
One group attacked Bigando village in Kitswamba sub-county in Kasese and killed five people including a UPDF soldier with his three children before they set his house ablaze.
The Rwenzori region army spokesperson, Lt Ninsiima Rwemijuma, confirmed the attack and identified the dead as Corporal Grace Nabimanya and his three children. He said another person known as Mutoro was also killed.
“The army has reinforced police in Bundibugyo and Kasese districts to protect civilians,” he said.
He downplayed reports that the attackers were ADF rebels who are based in eastern DR Congo near the Uganda border. He attributed the attacks to tribal conflicts in the region, but did not name who was responsible. But his statement does not explain a related attack on a police station in neighboring Bundibugyo district.
Meanwhile, Bundibugyo District Police Commander, Mr Mwine Mukono Alex, told the Monitor online that the attackers at the local police station could be ADF rebels.
“Stay where you are, these people are suspected to be ADF rebels. They have attacked us,” he said by telephone and he switched it off immediately.
As Sunday Monitor went to press at 7:30pm on Saturday evening, reports quoting the local residents said Karugutu Town in Ntoroko District had also been attacked. This could not be readily verified from security officials.
Police were taken unaware at around 3pm when people who were singing ‘Mai mai’ attacked a policeman who was guarding a weighbridge at Kasese Cobalt Company Limited.
The Rwenzori region police spokesperson, Mr Bakali Bashir Muga, identified the dead policeman as Jacob Muhindo and the injured as Amos Tumwiine.
“We have been attacked by unknown assailants who killed one of our policemen, injuring another. We have lost our two guns during the struggle and two of our personnel have been injured,” Mr Muga said.
Mr Muga said three people had been arrested in Kasese
On June 26, unknown gunmen attacked a church in Kyegegwa District and killed a worshipper before retreating to a mosque where they exchanged fire with police leaving one policeman dead.
