Uganda violence

Three die as clashes in Kampala continue

Article published on the 2009-09-11 Latest update 2009-09-11 17:46 TU

Ugandan police arrest a man carrying a child in a suburb of Kampala on 11 September
(Photo: Reuters)

Three people were killed on Friday as rioting continued for a second day in Kampala over a dispute between President Yoweri Museveni’s government and Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, ruler of the Baganda tribe.

According to Kampala’s main hospital, three people died, while sources within the police told the Reuters news agency that 50 people were admitted for treatment, and around 50 were arrested.

The conflict has put pressure on Museveni’s government and he has asked for the parties involved to “agree on the way forward”, although he has been subject to criticism by Baganda tribe supporters.

“I don’t know what kind of dialogue he has called for, he has been talking about dialogue for many years now, we’ve been involved in dialogue, not just us, but other groups have been involved in dialogue with him,” attorney general for the Baganda kingdom, Apollo Makubuya told RFI. “It has not led us to anywhere we can seriously talk about,” he added.

The police denied using excessive force in clashes on Thursday, although on Friday a teenager was reportedly shot in head whilst in a shop.

“We are law-abiding people, whatever we are doing is within our rights, within the constitution, but the police is firing tear gas and live ammunition,” said Makubuya.