Town clerk, five others survive lynching
Residents and police at the scene where the civil servants were ambushed and beaten. Photo by Phoebe Masongole
What you need to know:
- However, this reporter has learnt that there is a section of residents opposed to the creation of the town council, who have in several occasions vowed to beat up civil servants.
- Nauyo-Bugema is one of new town councils, which were created by government in 2017, but the residents say they never requested for it.
MBALE: The town clerk of Nauyo–Bugema town council in Mbale District, Ms Catherine Nabulwala and other staff members were on Friday allegedly ambushed and beaten by residents while in the field.
The Mbale District Police Commander, Mr Mathis Turyasingura, said on Saturday that the civil servants were beaten while carrying out sensitization on hygiene and sanitation at Excel Talent primary school in Bugema trading centre.
“They were confronted by a group of strong able-bodied men armed with sticks, machetes and stones, who beat them up very badly,” Mr Turyasingura said.
During the fracas, pupils at the school were also beaten and some sustained minor injuries.
Mr Turyasingura identified the injured as Ms Catherine Nabulwala, Ms Rebecca Nabukonde, the health inspector Mr Umar Wasike, an intern Muhammed Kizamba and Zelesi Nabushuyu, adding that investigation into the matter is ongoing.
“The case was reported and we gave them medical forms to go and get treatment. We are investigating the matter and making sure the culprits are arrested and arraigned in the courts of law to answer charges of assault, malicious damage and criminal trespass,” Mr Turyasingura said.
However, this reporter has learnt that there is a section of residents opposed to the creation of the town council, who have in several occasions vowed to beat up civil servants.
Nauyo-Bugema is one of new town councils, which were created by government in 2017, but the residents say they never requested for it.
“We are comfortable without a town council and we don’t want to see any one masquerading as an employee of the council. We never requested for it,” one of the residents who preferred anonymity said.
The town clerk Ms Nabulwala said that after being ambushed, they were forced into one room where they were tortured from.
“This has put our lives at risk and the police are not helping us,” she said.
The Mbale District LCV chairperson, Mr Bernard Mujasi, when contacted said the residents should embrace the town council, because it’s already created.
“It’s too late for them because it has been already created,” he said without indulging into more details.
