Bakonzo cry foul as army’s Rwenzori operation bites

The UPDF has deployed heavily across Mount Rwenzori that covers parts of Kasese, Kabarole, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo districts. More than 40 people have been arrested in joint operations by the army and police. PHOTO BY FELIX BASIIME

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Pacifying Rwenzori. Brig Peter Elwalu, the in-charge of the Usalama Rwenzori operation, says residents are being asked to go back home and people warned against discriminating on tribal basis, writes Amos Ngwomoya.

When the situation in the Rwenzori sub-region went out of hand, following the post-election and tribal clashes in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts, the UPDF launched the “Usalama Rwenzori” (Peace in Rwenzori) operation.
President and Commander-In-Chief Yoweri Museveni’s argument was anchored on the fact that Ugandans could not continue dying yet there is an army which can contain the violence. He also boasted of how peaceful Uganda is and warned that any one who planned to disrupt the peace would be dealt with.
But barely three weeks into the operation, residents have started criticising the soldiers who they accuse of bias. In the operation, security officers are searching for the perpetrators of the clashes so that they can be charged in the courts of law.

During the clashes, 366 houses for both Bamba/Babwisi and Bakonzo were burnt. Some of the Bakonzo, whose houses were burnt, fault security for arresting their tribesmen yet they have failed to arrest the Bamba/Babwisi who allegedly burnt houses of the former.
Mr Yofesi Maate Sibhendire, a resident of Ntotoro Sub-county in Bundibugyo District, who has since left the place for fear of being killed, told Sunday Monitor that his son was killed by people he claims are Bamba/Babwisi but the culprits are walking freely.
“It’s like these security people are only targeting the Bakonzo because it’s only the Bakonzo who are being arrested, moreover on false information. My son was killed and I have failed to get justice. This kind of unfairness has made us start doubting the security operatives,” says Mr Sibhendire.

When this reporter visited Kirumya Sub-county – another area affected by the clashes – majority of the Bakonzo were living in fear because they claim they have been listed for allegedly burning houses that belonged to the Bamba/Babwisi.
They claim the Bamba/Babwisi are doing this out of hatred because the Bakonzo bought a lot of land from the Bamba/Babwisi and they now want to repossess it.
In Bundibugyo, most of the informal sector is controlled by the Bakonzo and the Bamba/Babwisi in the lower lands sold a lot of their land to the Bakonzo from mountains. The Bakonzo have used this land to grow Cocoa and construct houses.
The Bamba/Babwisi want the land back, saying it is theirs, but the Bakonzo say they got the land legally.

UPDF dismisses claims
In an interview with Sunday Monitor, Brig Peter Elwalu, the UPDF 2nd Division Commander, who is overseeing the operation, dismissed the claims by the Bakonzo.
“The situation in Bundibugyo is now calm and people are going back to their homes except those whose homes were burnt. What should be understood is that not all the Bakonzo participated in the clashes as people have always said,” says Brig Elwalu.
“We are arresting both the Bamba/Babwisi and the Bakonzo suspects without fear or favour. For instance, the Bamba /Babwisi who killed a Mukonzo drug shop attendant in Busengerwa, Busaru Sub-county have been arrested.”

He adds that there are areas where the Bakonzo are minority, especially in Ntotoro Sub-county, but says they have advised them to go back because security is heavily deployed and that the Bamba/Babwisi have been warned discriminating against the Bakonzo.
“Those who are intimidating others will also be arrested because we want peace to prevail in the region. If people have hatred against each other, they shouldn’t use this as an avenue to get revenge by putting allegations on others,” he warns.

Kasese leaders plead
In Kasese, leaders have challenged government to come up with a report on what caused the clashes. Many residents interviewed by this reporter in Kasese said Rwenzururu Kingdom has enemies within and that these same people have been feeding government on misinformation that the Bakonzo were fighting for the Yiira state.

While meeting the Inter-Religious Council leaders in Kasese last week, Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere re-echoed his earlier remarks that the idea of creating the Yiira state has never crossed his mind.
There are 15 sub-counties in Bundibugyo District and only four of them – Ntotoro, Bubukwanga, Kirumya and Ngamba – were affected by the violence.
According to the Bundibugyo District education officer, Pastor Peter Bamwitirebye, at least six schools have remained closed because both pupils and teachers fear to be attacked. But Brig Elwalu says security has been deployed everywhere and that schools can resume.

Political approach
Mr Christopher Kibanzanga, the Bughendera County MP-elect and brother of the Rwenzururu King, challenges political leaders in the region to refocus on how to restore peace in the region. He says problems in the Rwenzori region need a political approach, arguing that some politicians were behind these clashes.
“Our focus should now be on serving Uganda and not institutions like cultural institutions. We need to re-discover that we need co-existence and reconciliation because we are one and peace building should come from the bottom of our hearts and not mere words,” Kibanzanga says.

He adds that central government officials sent to Bundibugyo should stop relying on community intelligence but rather carry out investigations. Kibanzanga also appeals to cultural leaders to know that they lead people, and not land, and should desist from engaging in politics to avoid causing confusion.
On April 14, both the Bakonzo and Bamba kings met in Fort Portal Town and called for peace among both tribes.
The Bwamba MP-elect and also an official in the Obudhingiya Bwa Bwamba, Mr Richard Gafabusa, says this will help to restore peace in the region since the two cultural leaders have a big following.

“The problem in the Rwenzori doesn’t only concern the Bakonzo and Bamba because the region consists of many tribes. As leaders, we need to mobilise all stakeholders and analyse the situation in the area and get a lasting solution which will break the mistrust between the Bamba/babwisi and the Bakonzo and I challenge government to unite the two tribes,” Gafabusa says.
But Kibanzanga warns that unless the two kings become open to each other, the clashes will continue. He adds that the message of peace they sent out must be from the bottom of their hearts and they should avoid playing hide and seek.
He also warns youth against being manipulated, stressing that they should engage in productive work instead of relying on other people’s riches.