One injured, houses demolished in tribal clashes

One person was reportedly injured and houses demolished following clashes between Banyoro and Alur farmers in Kabwoya sub-county, Hoima district.

The two communities fought in Rwemigere-Rusoona village using sticks and clubs on Thursday at around 11:00am. The injured whose identities could not be established by press time was a man.

Eye witnesses told New Vision on phone that the fighting broke out when one Jimmy Byakora, a Munyoro and resident of Rusoona village, failed to pay an Alur farmer who had cultivated his (Byakora's) garden.

It is alleged that the Alur casual labourer on Wednesday evening went to demand for his money, but Byakora and his family instead assaulted him.

The disenchanted Alur Thursday morning is alleged to have mobilised his tribesmen to storm Byakora's house to avenge the refusal to pay him.

The angry Alur believed to be 10 in number demolished five houses belonging to Banyoro and injured one person, leaving him in critical condition.

An eyewitness added that many were by press time stranded without shelter.

When contacted, Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Publicist was yet to receive a report about the incident, promising to get back to New Vision.

Bunyoro is a hotbed of land and ethnic disputes. In July 2014, at least 20 houses were burnt following clashes between the immigrant Bahima cattle keepers and Alur farmers in Kigorobya sub-county, Hoima District.

In 2006, a group of Bagungu clashed with the pastoralists and in the process more than 10 Bagungu got injured.