3 people hacked in South Busoga forest in Mayuge

Jul 14, 2013

Three people are nursing severe wounds in Iganga main hospital in Iganga district after they were hacked by some members of Itaaka lyange group in south Busoga forest reserve in Mayuge district.

By Betty Angatai

Three people are nursing severe wounds in Iganga main hospital in Iganga district after they were hacked by some members of Itaaka lyange group in south Busoga forest reserve in Mayuge district.

David Kibumba 40, Farouk Batuse 25 and Paskali Kabumere 28 all residents of Mirembe zone in Bwondha landing site in Malongo sub county, Mayuge district were rushed to the hospital with severe injuries.

The incident happened on Wednesday morning at around 9; 30 am when the three men were working in Saidha Kauma’s garden located in Buligi village where they were attacked.

The victims sustained deep cuts all over their bodies and broken limb.

According to Mayuge District Police Commander Caroline Akoth, the victims were terribly beaten and cut by the attackers.

‘‘We got information that some people had been severely cut while clearing a portion of land in the forest and we rushed there for intervention,’’ Akoth said adding that two suspects have so far been arrested and charged with attempted murder.

David Kibumba one of the victim said that they were attacked by a group of over 30 people from Buligi village who had various sharp objects.

‘‘Three people first attacked Paskali Kabumere and started cutting him, when I went to help him I was hit by a stone on the chest. They all arrested three of us who were clearing the garden and begun to cut us,’’ Kibumba said.
Kibumba said that after cutting them, the attackers disappeared with their two bicycles, three hoes and one panga which they had been using.

Saidha Kauma a resident of Bwondha said that they are ever invaded by Itaaka lyange group led by Idi Mwandha who forcefully harvest and take their yields.

‘‘These people attack and forcefully harvest our yields leaving us without food to feed the children’’, Kauma said.

She called upon government to intervention in order to curb the increasing threats and deaths in the forest.

Akoth said that they have increased the number of policemen in the three police posts in the forest reserve to ensure that there is peace in the area.

There has been a long-standing conflict between the Abalimi and Itaakalyange groups in the south Busoga forest reserve who fight over ownership of land which has resulted to the loss of lives.

 

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