UGANDA, Buhweju | Real Muloodi News | Francis Mwijukye, Buhweju County Member of Parliament (MP), and Juliet Kyarisima, a journalist with Vision Group, are recovering from injuries sustained in a violent altercation over a land dispute in Buhweju District.
The incident unfolded at Rwanyamabare Village, Omuhambo Kyakatungu Parish, Buhweju District, during Sunday Mass at Rwanyamabare Catholic Church.
According to Deo Atuhaire, the Buhweju district LC 5 chairperson, Mwijukye fell victim to a group of individuals described as “land grabbers,” armed with machetes, sticks, and stones.
He suffered head injuries after being hit by stones while addressing members of Rwanyamabare Catholic Church, who accused their neighbour, Edwin Burimbare, of land encroachment.
“At the time of the attack, Mwijukye was addressing members of Rwanyamabare Catholic Church, who accused their neighbor, Edwin Burimbare, of encroaching on their land,” explained Atuhaire.
Seven others were also injured during the altercation and were subsequently admitted to Nsiika Health Center IV.
Halson Kagure, Head of Communications at Mbarara Referral Hospital, confirmed Mwijukye’s admission, stating that he underwent a CT scan. However, Mwijukye opted for discharge and sought medical attention elsewhere.
Kyarisima, the Vision Group journalist, sustained minor injuries during the attack, while her equipment, including a camera and laptop, incurred damage.
Edwin Burimbare, the accused city lawyer involved in the land dispute, refuted the allegations and pointed fingers at Mwijukye for orchestrating the attack.
The Burimbare family asserts historical ownership of the disputed land. Despite the severity of the incident, the police in Greater Bushenyi have yet to state the altercation.
Efforts to obtain comments from Mwijukye were unsuccessful as his phones were switched off.
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