By Weswa Ronnie
SIRONKO
A mission by residents of Bumasobo Sub County in Bulambuli district to rescue two cows taken by residents of Legenya Sub County in Sironko district turned fatal after four people were pushed over a steep cliff claiming the lives of three and leaving one in critical condition.
The deceased are identified as Livingston Wandega 50 years of age and LCI chairperson of Muduga village, Bumasifwa parish in Legenya Sub County, Wojega 27 years of age and a resident of Mabono village Kibobobi Parish in Legenya Sub County and Timothy Kissa, 13 years of age and a Primary Six Pupil of Bumasifwa Primary School in Legenya Sub County.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
It was reported that on Friday last week, unknown people raided the home of Stephen Namusi from Legenya Sub County and picked one cow.
Mr. Namusi reported the matter to Bumasob police post and a sniffer dog was introduced to the scene and it went direct to the home of Samson Wanzila, a resident of Nakilulu village, Masungu parish Bumasobo Sub County in Bulambuli district.
Unfortunately they got when Wanzila had escaped but they discovered slaughtered meat at his home and it was taken as exhibit by police.
The following day on Saturday, a number of locals from the family of Namusi raided the home of Wanzila and went away with his two animals during day time as retaliation.
According to LCIII chairperson of Bukyabo Sub County, Stephen Kimasi, a group of people armed with pangas and sticks from Bukyabo Sub County in Bulambuli district followed the Legenya group and intercepted them from Busasagi village, Buchabo parish, in Buchabo Sub County.
‘’They started fighting with the intention of reclaiming their animals and in the process three people were pushed over a cliff,’’ Mr Kimasi said.
Rogers Taitika, the Elgon region police spokesperson confirmed the incident saying the three bodies were recovered down in the cliff dead.
He added that they have taken the bodies to Mbale city mortuary for post-mortem and that the bodies will later be handed over to their relatives for burial.
“We are hunting for those people from Bumasobo Sub County who fought with those from neighbouring Bulambuli such that they are arrested,’’ Taitika says.
Alfred Salim, a parent of the primary six pupil who died in the battle, asked police to expedite the investigations such that people who were behind the death of his son can be arrested and prosecuted.
“Currently we are experiencing lots of cattle theft at Legenya and neighbouring Buchabo sub county but security has kept quiet which caused the death of my innocent son,’’ Mr. Salim said.
Isaiah Sasaga Wanzira, area Member of Parliament representing Budadiri east constituency in Sironko district has called for calm among his people after receiving information that people from Legenya and Buchabo sub counties are planning to invade Bumasobo Sub County located at the neighbouring Bulambuli to kill three people in a tit-for-tat retaliatory move.
‘’ I urge security to take this matter seriously and intervene so that we don’t lose more people in more fights,’’ Honourable Sasaga said.
