By Henry Nsubuga

Five people in Mukono Central division were on Thursday evening arrested following a fracas in which a mob beat up and injured two Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers.

Police identified the suspects as: Mukisa, Bodo, Kintu, Opige and Balyebuga, all dealers of timber in Mukono town.

The fracas started when a lorry, registration number UAM 281N, carrying timber rammed into a stationary army van, Mitsubishi Fuso registration number H4DF 997 in Industrial area on Mukono-Kayunga road. 

Traders chat with soldiers near the army truck that was rammed into after the fracas

In the fracas that ensued, a mob comprising of mainly timber dealers pelted stones at a group of soldiers, leaving two of them injured.

The soldiers, who had been deployed in the town to man security ahead of President Museveni’s Friday visit to attend the district Independence Day celebrations at Naggalama mixed Primary School, retaliated by shooting in the air and beating up the mob.

Chaos engulfed the town as traders frantically locked up their shops and fled.

One of the victims, Fred Senozi, 28, the army van driver, reported to Mukono police station to record a statement later after the incident.

The Regional Police Commander in charge of Kampala Metropolitan East, Yasin Ndimwibo who visited the scene, said that suspects were handed over to Mukono Police station for custody.

Ndimwino condemned the act saying that the suspects will be charged with several offences including inciting violence, malicious damage on a government vehicle and assault.

The timber vehicle was later towed to Mukono police station.