50 Injured In Hoima Clash

Jan 20, 2002

OVER 50 people were on Saturday injured and 20 of them admitted to hospital following fierce clashes between Banyarwanda herdsmen and the Banyoro in Kisiita village in Hoima district.

By Amlan Tumusiimeand Godfrey kamali OVER 50 people were on Saturday injured and 20 of them admitted to hospital following fierce clashes between Banyarwanda herdsmen and the Banyoro in Kisiita village in Hoima district.Gunfire rocked the area as the police from Burindi post shot several bullets in the air to quell the fight.A mob of about 300 Banyoro armed with spears and pangas fought a group of about 30 herdsmen. Police records show that 15 cows were killed, the herdsmen’s makeshift huts were burnt and other property destroyed during the clashes that lasted over six hours.The district CID officer, George Kanonko, said the violent clashes which left 20 people, including children and LC officials, admitted to Hoima hospital, were sparked off by the herdsmen who beat up the LC1 chairman, Paul Isingoma, into coma.The pastoralists had temporarily camped in the area in search of water and pasture for their cattle but were angered by the loss of their cow, which they suspected the chairman to have stolen.“It was a terrible fight because almost the whole village was involved. But we have so far arrested about 10 ring-leaders, including the LC officials and councillors,” Kanonko said.He said the Banyoro became hostile because the herdsmen had attacked their chairman.“We have opened up inquiries into the case and when we searched the home of the chairman, we recovered what we think were the remains of the stolen cow,” Kanonko said.Isingoma was picked from a Hoima hospital bed and taken to the police cells. However, he was taken back to the hospital after his relatives pleaded with the Police.The deputy Police spokesman, John kimera, said he was not yet aware but referred the reporter to the midwestern regional Police commander, Moses balimoyo. “It’s true we’ve got reports of that nature. I don’t have the figures but it cannot be 50. I’m only aware of a man and a pregnant woman who are admitted in hospital,” balimoyo said.He said he would get a detailed report today.Clashes between herdsmen and peasant farmers ravaged the neighbouring district of Masindi where a number of people and animals were killed and crops destroyed last year.Ends

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