The Bamba and Bakonzo in Bundibugyo have reconciled, following the clashes between the two ethnic groups early this month.
On July 11, clashes between the Bamba and Bakonzo broke out in Bundibugyo district after the Bamba tried to burn down a shrine that was constructed for the Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere, in Kibindi village in Busaru Sub County.
The Bamba who are the majority in Bundibugyo district, were also angry that Mumbere visited the district to celebrate his second coronation anniversary without seeking permission from them.
On Thursday morning, the Bamba led by Bundibugyo Elders Development Association (BEDA) met Bakonzo elders in Bundibugyo town and resolved to reconcile and work together. The reconciliatory meeting was initiated by religious leaders in the district.
In a telephone interview, Fr. Mathias Kahungu, who chaired the meeting said that there was need for both ethnic groups to reconcile, before more clashes could break out. Kahungu says that after the clashes, both ethnic groups had started looking at each other as enemies, and yet they have been leaving together peacefully.
Kahungu says that during the meeting, it was agreed that when the Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere visits Bundibugyo district, he should restrict his visit to only areas, where his subjects live.
He also says that the Bamba elders agreed to allow Mumbere visit his shrine at Kibindi village in Busaru Sub County and perform rituals, since it is his birth place.
Kahungu says that elders from both the ethnic groups will appoint representatives who will unite people in areas, which were mostly affected by the clashes. The areas are Kisumba, Bundinyama and Bunyaruta parishes.
Bosco Muhindo, the secretary of Bakonzo elders said that in future the Bamba elders will also be informed whenever Mumbere wants to visit the district.
During the meeting, both sides unanimously criticized the Bundibugyo Woman MP, Harriet Ntabazi, whom they accused of inciting the Bamba against the Bakonzo.
It’s alleged that Ntabazi used the Voice of Bundibugyo, a government-owned FM radio managed under the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), to mobilize the Bamba against the Rwenzururu King which led to the clashes.
More than 400 Bakonzo were displaced by the clashes.
Shortly after the clashes, the Bakonzo in Bughendera County, up in the Ruwenzori Mountains, cut the pipes that supply water to Bwamba County, causing a water shortage in Bundibugyo town.
