The Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura has rushed to Nebbi following violent riots over a disputed LC5 election in which three people died and 16 others were injured.
The riots also left property worth millions of shillings destroyed.
The violence, which has occurred three times now stems from the February LC5 elections initially won by independent William Alenyo but overturned in a vote recount, which handed over victory to Robert Okumu of the National Resistance Movement.
The latest rioting in which three people died happened last week after Arua high court reinstated Alenyo but he failed to get sworn-in after Okumu launched an appeal against the ruling.
The day-long riots saw hundreds of youths battle a combined force of police and the army. Scores of buildings belonging to relatives or those perceived to be Okumu’s supporters were targeted. The rioters torched a building belonging to the NRM district chairman, George Adubango.
Kayihura, accompanied by high ranking police officers from Kampala arrived in Nebbi on Tuesday and immediately held a closed door meeting with district and regional security chiefs.
In the reportedly heated meeting, Kayihura ordered the immediate suspension of the Nebbi District Police Commander Alex Wabwire, the criminal investigations officer Henry Mulindwa, the officer-in-charge of station George Ondoma and the crime intelligence officer Clix Onoba.
The West Nile Regional Police Commander Samuel Okot has temporarily taken charge of the district.
Today Kayihura held a meeting with chiefs and officials from Ker Alur (Alur Kingdom) in which he wanted to understand how the conflict started and what roles they can play to resolve the conflict.
The Ker Alur officials, led by the Deputy Prime Minister Odongo Japamora, blamed both Alenyo and Okumu for feeding their supporters with wrong information about the conflict, a situation that made the two sides take extreme positions.
Japamora said the Kingdom will bring the two parties to a roundtable and ensure that common ground is reached.
Kayihura, on his part, urged the traditional leaders to use their influence to resolve the conflict and work hand-in-hand with the government to mobilize the youth for development.
The IGP assured the officials that there won’t be any trouble and promised a thorough investigation into the riots.
By press time Kayihura was meeting young people in the town and is scheduled to visit Parombo town tomorrow to engage the locals.
