{UAH} Uganda: Bakonzo Cry Foul As Army's Rwenzori Operation Bites

Uganda: Bakonzo Cry Foul As Army's Rwenzori Operation Bites

By Amos Ngwomoya

When the situation in the Rwenzori sub-region went out of hand, following the post-election and tribal clashes in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts, the UPDF launched the "Usalama Rwenzori" (Peace in Rwenzori) operation.

President and Commander-In-Chief Yoweri Museveni's argument was anchored on the fact that Ugandans could not continue dying yet there is an army which can contain the violence. He also boasted of how peaceful Uganda is and warned that any one who planned to disrupt the peace would be dealt with.

But barely three weeks into the operation, residents have started criticising the soldiers who they accuse of bias. In the operation, security officers are searching for the perpetrators of the clashes so that they can be charged in the courts of law.

During the clashes, 366 houses for both Bamba/Babwisi and Bakonzo were burnt. Some of the Bakonzo, whose houses were burnt, fault security for arresting their tribesmen yet they have failed to arrest the Bamba/Babwisi who allegedly burnt houses of the former.

Mr Yofesi Maate Sibhendire, a resident of Ntotoro Sub-county in Bundibugyo District, who has since left the place for fear of being killed, told Sunday Monitor that his son was killed by people he claims are Bamba/Babwisi but the culprits are walking freely.

"It's like these security people are only targeting the Bakonzo because it's only the Bakonzo who are being arrested, moreover on false information. My son was killed and I have failed to get justice. This kind of unfairness has made us start doubting the security operatives," says Mr Sibhendire.

When this reporter visited Kirumya Sub-county - another area affected by the clashes - majority of the Bakonzo were living in fear because they claim they have been listed for allegedly burning houses that belonged to the Bamba/Babwisi.

They claim the Bamba/Babwisi are doing this out of hatred because the Bakonzo bought a lot of land from the Bamba/Babwisi and they now want to repossess it.

In Bundibugyo, most of the informal sector is controlled by the Bakonzo and the Bamba/Babwisi in the lower lands sold a lot of their land to the Bakonzo from mountains. The Bakonzo have used this land to grow Cocoa and construct houses.

The Bamba/Babwisi want the land back, saying it is theirs, but the Bakonzo say they got the land legally.

UPDF dismisses claims

In an interview with Sunday Monitor, Brig Peter Elwalu, the UPDF 2nd Division Commander, who is overseeing the operation, dismissed the claims by the Bakonzo.

"The situation in Bundibugyo is now calm and people are going back to their homes except those whose homes were burnt. What should be understood is that not all the Bakonzo participated in the clashes as people have always said," says Brig Elwalu.

"We are arresting both the Bamba/Babwisi and the Bakonzo suspects without fear or favour. For instance, the Bamba /Babwisi who killed a Mukonzo drug shop attendant in Busengerwa, Busaru Sub-county have been arrested."

He adds that there are areas where the Bakonzo are minority, especially in Ntotoro Sub-county, but says they have advised them to go back because security is heavily deployed and that the Bamba/Babwisi have been warned discriminating against the Bakonzo.

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