Farmer killed over Namatala wetland clash
Jan 24, 2010
A Mugisu rice farmer was hacked to death in Namatala wetland last week during clashes between the Bagisu and the Bagwere from Kamonkoli sub-county in Budaka.
By Daniel Edyegu
A Mugisu rice farmer was hacked to death in Namatala wetland last week during clashes between the Bagisu and the Bagwere from Kamonkoli sub-county in Budaka.
The body of James Makhosi, 49, from Musoto village in Mbale, had deep cuts on the head and hands. Makhosi was killed while chasing birds from his field.
The Kibiniko LC1 secretary, Ahmed Wamimbi, said over 150 Bagwere armed with sticks, pangas, spears and machetes raided the wetland at 8:00am when farmers were beginning the day’s activities.
“I saw one group approaching from the direction of Tirinyi highway, while the other came from Nyanza cell in Nasenyi village. I yelled to signal Makhosi to flee, but he did not hear. Other farmers in the gardens fled,†Wamimbi narrated.
He said the Bagwere dumped Makhosi’s body into River Namatala. The Police later retrieved the body and took it to Mbale municipal mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Namatala wetland, located between Budaka and Mbale, is at the centre of a border dispute between the Bagwere and Bagisu farmers, with each claiming the others are cultivating beyond the district boundary.
Four Bagwere and three Bagisu have been killed since the conflict began in 2007. In renewed hostilities, one Mugwere from Jamii village in Kamonkoli was cut in the neck early this month, prompting heavy Police deployment.
“Tension has been building up since the beginning of this month.
On January 16, the Bagwere attacked and injured five Bagisu. Fortunately, we learnt of the planned attack and farmers retreated from the wetland,†Wamimbi narrated.
The eastern regional Police spokesman, Iddi Ssenkumbi, said one Mugwere is suspected to have been injured in last Monday’s clash.
A Mugisu rice farmer was hacked to death in Namatala wetland last week during clashes between the Bagisu and the Bagwere from Kamonkoli sub-county in Budaka.
The body of James Makhosi, 49, from Musoto village in Mbale, had deep cuts on the head and hands. Makhosi was killed while chasing birds from his field.
The Kibiniko LC1 secretary, Ahmed Wamimbi, said over 150 Bagwere armed with sticks, pangas, spears and machetes raided the wetland at 8:00am when farmers were beginning the day’s activities.
“I saw one group approaching from the direction of Tirinyi highway, while the other came from Nyanza cell in Nasenyi village. I yelled to signal Makhosi to flee, but he did not hear. Other farmers in the gardens fled,†Wamimbi narrated.
He said the Bagwere dumped Makhosi’s body into River Namatala. The Police later retrieved the body and took it to Mbale municipal mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Namatala wetland, located between Budaka and Mbale, is at the centre of a border dispute between the Bagwere and Bagisu farmers, with each claiming the others are cultivating beyond the district boundary.
Four Bagwere and three Bagisu have been killed since the conflict began in 2007. In renewed hostilities, one Mugwere from Jamii village in Kamonkoli was cut in the neck early this month, prompting heavy Police deployment.
“Tension has been building up since the beginning of this month.
On January 16, the Bagwere attacked and injured five Bagisu. Fortunately, we learnt of the planned attack and farmers retreated from the wetland,†Wamimbi narrated.
The eastern regional Police spokesman, Iddi Ssenkumbi, said one Mugwere is suspected to have been injured in last Monday’s clash.