Byabashaija was expected in court today following summons issued on 30th January to answer queries filed by the lawyers representing Rwenzururu royal guards claiming that he has failed to transfer suspects from other prisons to Luzira Maximam Prison for medical attention. Jinja Chief Magistrate John Francis Kaggwa set March 6th for Byabashaija to appear in court to answer to the claims levelled against the Prisons Service.
Major Ronald Kakurungu, the UPDF 2nd Division Spokesperson, says there is need to deploy in the mountains to avoid further attacks on communities. He explains that there are reports that some unknown people are regrouping and are planning to carry out more attacks in low lands.
The withdrawal follows weekend clashes in which four people including two UPDF officers, one motorcyclist and one royal guard were killed. Prior to the shooting, UPDF had five officers as part of the security team attached to Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu.
Major Ronald Kakurungu, the UPDF 2nd division spokesperson, says the four people were killed in two separate incidents. He says the soldiers and the boda boda motorcyclist were killed by an unidentified people who attacked them, a few meters from Mumberes palace in Kasese town.
Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere says that up to five Rwenzururu royal guards have been killed since the unrest began, and that four others are detained in unknown places. He adds that the arrests are made by unidentified and non-uniformed personnel claiming to be security operatives.
One Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu royal guard has been arrested and two others injured in Kasese town this evening. The Rwenzururu royal guard was arrested by a combined force of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces soldiers and Uganda Police Force officers
Martin Tukahebwa, the Bundibugyo District Police Commander, says the six people were killed when some of the residents took it upon themselves to avenge the deadly clashes on Wednesday which claimed eight Bamba and three Bakonzo community members.
Kayihura described the raid on the police post as an attack on the state and the citizens. He however, blamed the raid on the poor deployment at the police post. The IGP warned all those involved in destabilizing the area, saying the strong arm of the law will catch up with him.
Rose Akol, the Internal Affairs minister regretted the killings in her statement to the house. She explained that government has intensified joint operations comprised of the army and police to contain the situation.
Two people are dead after an attack on a Kasese police post last night. One of the dead is a police officer identified as Charles Kasimba. The other deceased was part of the gang of eight attackers who is yet to be identified.
Five of the dead are from the Bamba community, the remaining are Bakonzo. Lydia Tumushabe, the Rwenzori Regional Police spokesperson, says the Bakonzo attacked the Bamba forcing them to retaliate.
Addressing journalists after the closed door meeting, Mumbere said the conflicts in Kasese are being created by enemies of his Kingdom. He also disowned members of Kilhumiramuthima a militia group, which is said to behind the recent unrest.
Omusinga wa Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere is holding a meeting with the Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura to address the Kasese district clashes. The meeting is being held at Hotel Margherita in Kasese.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga has just confirmed that the Kasese, Buhuhira sub-county Gombolola Intelligence Security Officer James Mulhumbira was attacked last night. Although in critical condition, James Mulhumbira is still alive.
Intelligence reports submitted to General Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police-IGP and the Director of Operation on a weekly basis show that there has been simmering tension between the Bamba and Bakonzo. The reports were compiled from meetings convened by retired Col Martin Kamya, the King of Obundhigya bwa Bamba and those of Rwezururu Kingdom Ministers.
Thembo Kitsumbire, the acting Rwenzururu Kingdom Premier has dismissed Kayihuras claims that the attackers are linked to the kingdom. According to Thembo, the tension in Kasese district is a result of the disputed Hima Town council LC 3 elections, which has nothing to do with the Kingdom.
People who were granted amnesty after surrendering to the police in the aftermath of the July 5, 2014 attacks in Bundibugyo district are living in fear of being arrested by the security agencies as unannounced operations are mounted in the area.
The development comes just days after president Yoweri Museveni accepted a call for pardon from Rwenzori region leaders to all people who participated in the recent attacks on security installations and civilians in the districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko. The call led to the establishment of two reception centers through which those seeking amnesty channel their applications.
