One shot dead as Iteso king is blocked in Tororo

TORORO: One person has been shot dead in Tororo District as a group of protesters from Jopandhola community clashed with police on Saturday evening.

According to the eye witnesses, the deceased identified as Joseph Obosa, a resident of Akisim village in Mella Sub County, was shot on the head by a UPDF soldier along Tagore West Street as police and army engaged with the protesters in running battles.

“He was shot by a soldier, immediately he stepped out of my shop. He was one of my trustful customers, it so sad that he has lost his life just in such a circumstance,” Mr Alia Okoth, a shop keeper, said.

Prior to the shooting, police had tried to disperse protesters but in vain. They went on chanting and singing songs in praise of the Jopadhola tribe as the owners of Tororo municipality.

The fuming protesters dismantled the banner bearing President Museveni and Emorimori, the paramount chief of Iteso cultural institution that had been hanged at the Tororo main round about.

“We pull down this banner in show of solidarity that we the Jopadhola are the true owners of Tororo Town and Iteso should stay away,” one of the irritated youth, said amid cheers from his colleagues.

After sensing more danger, police swiftly blocked the Emorimori, Papa Augustine Osuban from reaching Tororo Town to attend the Iteso cultural festival, which was taking place at King George Memorial stadium in Tororo district.
The Emorimori and his entourage were blocked at Lwaboba trading centre in Mbale district and escorted back to Mbale Town.

The Bukedi regional police spokesperson, Mr Sowali Kamulya, said the police took the decision after assessing the situation and found out that it was not safe for him to attend.

“We only took the decision because we were not sure of the safety of the king as tension between the two rivaling tribes was still looming, ’’ he said.

Mr Kamulya said they tried to reconcile the leaders from both sides but they failed to agree with each side claiming ownership of Tororo municipality.

On shooting, he, said the deceased was hit by stray bullet as the police tried to disperse crowds that had turned unruly.

“We are going to investigate who could have shot the deceased,” he said.

The Iteso are holding their sixth heritage day celebrations, which kicked off on Thursday and ending on Sunday (today). It has attracted dignitaries from the greater Teso region and West Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan but the Jopandhola under their umbrella association, Padhola Cultural Union, have vowed to disrupt the function.

They claim Prime Tororo Municipality is the Jerusalem of Jopandhola community.

The two tribes have for long been engulfed in tribal conflicts over the ownership of Tororo Municipality, with each group claiming ownership.