Leaders clash at Kasese burial

By John Nzinjah A BUSHENYI Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Paul Nyakatonda and Kasese district chairman Yokasi Bihande clashed over reports that there may be rebel recruitment going on in the Rwenzori mountain region. The clash occurred last week at a burial of a Kasese parish chief, Yohana Kule, at Bikunga village in Karambi sub county, Bukonzo county, Kasese district. Addressing thousands of mourners, the ARDC Bushenyi, who hails from Kasese district said over 150 people from the district were said to have been recruited by a rebel group. “We have information that over 150 of your sons here (Kasese) have been recruited to go and train to fight the movement government,” Byakatonda said. Byakatonda said government agents in Kasese had confirmed the reports about people being recruited to rebel against the government. But Bihande addressing the mourners said, “This man (Byakatonda) has told you a big lie. He wants to create fear in the people over something which is being handled by government.” “I am a member of the district security committee and we have established that only four misguided people had been recruited and we are following up the matter,” Bihande said. He told the mourners to remain calm since the government was seriously investigating the reports.