e-society
Kasese
violence leave 64 orphan 14 women widowed stranded as Elders in Buhuhira chase
GISO
Kasese:
following the recent clashes in Kasese, research has indicated that over 65
orphans and 14 widowers are stranded on what next since of the men in homes
have been bread winners to their families.
The
future of 65 children, five of them sickle cell sufferers, remains gloomy after
their fathers died in bloody post-election clashes in Kasese district.
The
clashes in Hima Town Council of Kitswamba Sub County and Kasenyi village,
Buhuhira Sub County, both in Busongora North Constituency, also 14 widowed women,
some of them aged below 30 years.
The
four men killed in the Kasenyi shooting were Nason Bwambale, 37, who is
survived by two widows and five children, Jocknus Musalira, 27, survived by one
widow and 3 children and James Wayakwa, 34, father of 3 children survived by
one widow.
Also
killed was 40-year-old Saleri kake, who survived by one widow and 9 children.
Two
other men one them identified as Uziah Mumbere Nyamingi, 56 years and survived
by 3 wives and 21 children, died in a night attack on a joint patrol of UPDF
and Police in Kikonzo Ward, Hima Town Council on the night of March 9.
Others
are Geoffrey Kasimba a police man who was killed at kidodo police post he
survived by one wife and six children, Muhindo Donat he survived by one wife
and one child, Kule Muzamiru a thirteen year old boy who was short three times
by soldiers at the tally Centre on 19th during the delay to declare the winners in the
recent parliamentary and presidential candidates, and Yofesi Mogoye a royal
guard who survived with 13 children and three wives, and Muhabira Joseph
28years who survived with three children and one wife.
Another
Twenty-three year-old Gideon Bwambale was injured and his wife and two children
are also stranded.
While
interfacing with the Inter religious Committee at the trading centre in
Buhuhira kasenyi village, the bereaved families also asked the government to
compensate them
However
another battle starts as Elders in buhuhira have passed a decision to chasing
the Giso in the village, allowing other relatives of the Giso to come back in
the village since most of them are still displaced after residents reacted
negatively on them destroying all houses, plantations belong to them after
killings that happened in Buhuhira Sub County during post election violence
that left wounds on hearts of many residents in kasese.
In
meeting of reconciliation organized by the inter religious council where most
families that lost relatives accused the Giso of fueling police to attack
residents which forced most of the residents to responded by fighting each
other which caused the shooting of four people in the area
“we
are ready to for give everyone related to the Giso Mr. mulhumbira James but him
who brought police and he pointed to that that Kill that one and that one,
never cant it happen” father to salerikake said.
The
inter religious council had several times managed to bring the families to
gather but families that lost its people are not ready to share the some road
with the person who order the killing yet most of those killed where not
connected to the clashes that started in Hima after elections.
GanatiyaWayakwa,
brother to the late James Wayakwa, told monitor reporter that his young brother
was among the four men gunned down at Kasenyi trading centre, leaving three who
were depending on their mother.
Sajoni
Masereka also said his brother; Saleri had left behind five children who suffer
from sickle cells, a disease that is too costly for the widow to handle.
“We
are hit hard because every month, our brother has been spending Shs500,000
shillings on treating each of the children, Masereka said. He urged the
Committee to pray and advocate for support for the families.
Miriam
Nyalyahinda, 20, said with her late husband, they had planned to build a house,
she is currently depending on a small garden given to her by the mother in law
but still wondering how she was going to move on alone.
A
mother of three, the youngest being 3 years, Lyahinda said her husband met his
death when he ran to Kasenyi trading centre from home when gunfire started.
The
bereaved families blamed the clashes on personal grudges between the
Kyabarungira Sub county Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO), James
Mulhumbira and some of the residents.
“James
Mulhumbira used his office to victimize us,” they said, accusing him of being
the one who pointed a finger at those who were shot dead in Kasenyi.
But
several speakers called for reconciliation between them and Mulhumbira’s family
adding they were not ready to forgive those who are linked to the deaths of
their dear ones provided the culprits are willing to seek pardon.
Elders
also called for the removal of security forces from the area saying,” there is
no rebel here but personal conflicts.”
The
Police officer in charge of Kasenyi police post, Oleke, the area Community
liaison Officer, Joseph Otiyo and the their UPDF counterpart, Second Lt
SirajNassur Ijaga, apologized for the sad events.
The
officer urged the residents to use legal procedures of settling disputes.
The attackers injured a Commissioner of Police, Jacob Opolot and a
Special Police Constable (SPC) Joel Mbusa and even tried to disarm the SPC of
his AK 47 assault rifle, forcing the security forces to fire in the air to
disperse the group but in vain.
“No rebel has killed our people but government security
personnel’s” according to the women Member of Parliament kiiza Winfred
ENDS
