Over 70 Congolese cross to Bundibugyo

By K. Muhanga AT least 70 Congolese fled to Uganda from eastern Congo on Thursday following a renewed clash between the Bahuma and Balega tribes, a security source said yesterday. The source said, "A combined force of the Balega and Mai-Mai militias armed with arrows, bows, pangas, spears and guns attacked the Bahuma on Monday and Tuesday, killing a dozen of them." The Bundibugyo Police Commander, Charles Tumwesigye, said the Congolese fled to Rwebisengo, Ntokoro county in Bundibugyo district. He said the refugees said they came from Kiryabugongo and Kikoga, about 70km inside Congo. "The information available is that the Balega and the Mai-Mai launched an attack on them (Huma)," Tumwesigye said. He said UPDF soldiers had gone to the area to calm the situation. Sources in Rwebisengo said the number of refugees there could be close to 1,000. The New Vision could not get a comment from UPDF 2nd Division commander Lt. Col. Tumusiime Nyakaitana, or 309-Brigade commander Lt. Col. David Kaboyo. Meanwhile, Emmy Allio reports that at least 50 people died on Wednesday in a resumption of ethnic clashes in the northeastern Congolese town of Bunia, forcing the UPDF to deploy a helicopter gunship to bomb positions held by the rival groups. Cyprian Bulen, the RCD-Kisangani minister for finance, said between 25,000 and 30,000 people have camped in Bunia after fleeing the affected areas in South Ituri. The clashes reportedly began when a Lendu farmer was killed after visiting a Hema friend. However, the RCD-Kisangani leadership blamed the clashes on the replacement of the Ituri governor, Uringi Padoro, an Alur, with Dheju Ngeni, a Hema, by UPDF officer Col. Edson Muzoora. Ends