Kasese Police is holding a man in connection to the Friday attack at Mukohya police station. 30-year-old Joachim Muthethu was picked up on Saturday morning from Acholi Quarters in Nyamwamba Division in Kasese Municipality. Wilson Kwanya, Western Regional Police Commander says that Muthethu, a resident of Buhunga village in Maliba sub-county was picked up on a tip off from a resident of the area.
He explains that police recovered an AK 47 rifle from the suspect with 27 rounds of live ammunition. Kwanya says the suspect has a gunshot wound on his fore head, he sustained during their raid on Muhokya police station. He says the suspect who is being held at Kasese Police station, will lead police to the rest of the attackers.
During interrogations, Muthethu told police that they staged the raid to attack the Basongora for installing a parallel cultural leader. He explains they raided the police in a group of 10 people under the commander of Kule, who relayed instruction to them on phone. Lt Milton Odongo, Kasese Resident District Commissioner says that the attackers are connected to Rwenzururu Veterans Association, which operated between 1960-80.
He also alleges that intelligence sources show that the attackers are FDC members who are trying to fight the NRM government, but didn’t substantiate the claims. The accusations come at time, when FDC and NRM are tussling for the Kasese District woman MP seat in the by-elections scheduled for August 8.
Yolamu Mulima, Chairman Rwenzururu Veterans Association has dimissed claims that the suspects are members of his group. He says that the suspects could be members of the self’styled” Rwenzururu freedom fighters Association led by Regio Kyakunukire. During interrogation Muthethu told Kasese District LC V chairman Lt. Col. Mawa Muhindo and police that he is a former LDU and member of the ruling National Resistance Movement.
Muhindo rejected the claim saying that there is sufficient evidence showing that the suspect belongs to FDC. Four people were killed in the attack including a cop who was stabbed to death. Trouble between the Bakonzo and Basongora started on July 1 after the Basongora installed their cultural leader. Police is still hunting for the remaining suspect to recover two guns from the gang.
