12 arrested over Kibaale land demo

Jun 06, 2009

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has averted a potentially violent land-related demonstration in Kibaale by meeting the organisers. Police chief Kale Kayihura said Museveni met the committee members on Thursday and they agreed to call off the demonstration.

By Conan Businge, Ismael
Kasooha and P. Kwesiga


PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has averted a potentially violent land-related demonstration in Kibaale by meeting the organisers.

Police chief Kale Kayihura said Museveni met the committee members on Thursday and they agreed to call off the demonstration.

He said security organs had learnt the demonstration was likely to be violent, and the Police had to quickly intervene.

“These demonstrators wanted to converge and file a petition through the Resident District Commissioner (Hajj. Ali Mutawa),” Kayihura told Saturday Vision.

According to the committee chairperson, Kato Musoke, the demonstration had been staged to protest against the 1900 Buganda Agreement, which led to the re-allocation of some of their land to Baganda landlords, in disregard of the Banyoro occupants. To date, the absentee Baganda landlords still hold the titles for the land they acquired after the agreement.

However, others used it as an opportunity to protest against the growing immigration and influence of Bakiga in the area.

Kayihura said the Police deployed heavily and there was no way the demonstration could go on.

“These people have just met the President and are scheduled to meet him again soon,” he added.

Banyoro demonstrators planned to come from as far away as Hoima and Masindi to take part in the Kibaale protest. By the time it was halted, the protestors had started blocking roads.

On Thursday night, the road from Kakumiro-Mubende road was cut off by people who had placed trees on the road.

As early as Monday, heavily armed riot Police took positions in various parts of Kibaale district. Meanwhile, another seven people were arrested yesterday afternoon, bringing to 12 the number apprehended in connection with the foiled demonstration.

Three of them, Silver Mugisa, Asiimwe Mustafa and Steven Akugizibwe, are army deserters. They were arrested trying to transport pangas, rudimentary sharp sticks and metal bars to the demonstration.

Other unidentified people were arrested from Bwamiramira sub-country, attempting to attack Bakiga who were felling trees in the nearby forest.

Mid western regional Police commander Martin Amoru told Saturday Vision that they were arrested for staging an unlawful demonstration and inciting violence.

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