About 300 people have fled their homes as tension continues to build in Kiziranfumbi Sub County Hoima district after the bloody land clashes on Tuesday night.
Clashes erupted in Kyabataka B village, Munteme parish leaving one person killed and three others injured.
The violence started after a group of residents from the neighboring Kyabataka A village in Kabwoya Sub County, invaded the place accusing the settlers of cultivating on their land. The land in Kyabataka B reportedly belongs to Prince Herbert Kimera, a member of the Bunyoro royal clan.
Although police immediately intervened to contain the clashes, and are currently still deployed in the area, attacks on residents and in the neighboring villages still continue.
On Thursday afternoon, Kazimil Nsiganigagwa, in his 30s and a resident of the neighboring Kigyayo village, was attacked by a group of machete-wielding men and amputated. He is now admitted at Hoima hospital.
Francis Bwesige, the Kiziranfumbi sub county chairperson, says following the attacks, people from Kyabataka B village and their neighbours of Kigyayo, Kigabu, Muziranduru and Kyandagano all in Munteme parish, have fled their homes in fear.
Bwesige explains that the invaders are also attacking the neighbouring villages accusing residents of failing to join them to secure their land.
The residents among them men, women and children have now pitched camp at Kiswaza trading centre and some at Kiziranfumbi community hall.
The LC3 chairperson asks the police to deploy more personnel in the area so that residents can return to their homes as the sub county cannot cater for them.
18 suspects have so far been arrested and detained at Hoima police station. Hoima Deputy RDC Abdul Swammad Wantimba says security has been tightened in the area as police investigates the matter. He rubbishes claims the rebels are behind the attacks.
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Augustine Kasangaki, Hoima district police commander says his Mobile Police Patrol Unit has been moved to the area to ensure their security.
Prince Kimera, who claims ownership of the land in Kyabataka B village for which the residents are clashing, says he has already forwarded the matter to the president’s office and declined to comment further.
In February this year, Prince Kimera evicted settlers on his land in Kyabataka B leaving behind their crop gardens. However, another group comprising of Banyarwanda and Bakiga immigrants occupied the same land and this is what is believed to have prompted the attacks by the former settlers.
Prince Kimera declined to comment on how the second group accessed his land.
