Police deploy in Kibaale forest reserve

Sep 10, 2009

ANTI-riot Police have deployed heavily in Kibaale district as tension began mounting when suspected Banyoro attempted to enter Guramwa forest reserve in Nkooko sub-county on Tuesday.

By Ismael Kasooha

ANTI-riot Police have deployed heavily in Kibaale district as tension began mounting when suspected Banyoro attempted to enter Guramwa forest reserve in Nkooko sub-county on Tuesday.

The mid-western regional Police chief, Marcellino Wanitho, said 27 Banyoro were seen boarding a vehicle heading to the forest reserve, but they were warned that migrants, who were residing there, had prepared to fight back.

The Banyoro reportedly want to have a share of the forest reserve, saying the encroachers, who had been evicted, had been allowed to return on the orders of President Museveni.

Last month, over 700 families that were evicted from the reserve were allowed back into the protected area. This angered the Banyoro, who claim to have preserved the forest reserve for over 100 years.

Wanitho said an emergency security committee meeting was convened on Tuesday over the matter.

He said they had deployed in Kakumiro, Isunga, Mwitanzige and Rutooma.
Wanitho, however, told journalists there was no cause for alarm.

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