KAMPALA, (Reuters) – Gunshots rang out in the Ugandan capital Kampala yesterday and at least three people were killed as security forces clashed with rioters for a second day over a row between the government and the kingdom of Buganda.
The violence has been triggered by land and power disputes between Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s government and leaders of Buganda — one of Uganda’s four ancient kingdoms.
Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, the king of Buganda, postponed a visit scheduled for today to the flashpoint Bugandan town of Kayunga in an effort to avoid further bloodshed.
“We don’t want to see an escalation of the violence”, said Medard Lubega, deputy information minister of Buganda.
Two foreign exchange dealers told Reuters the market was shrugging off the violence. The Ugandan shilling was little changed from Thursday at 1,960 versus the dollar.
On Thursday the Buganda number two, known as the Katikiro, was barred from visiting Kayunga, a town east of Kampala where locals say other ethnic groups have taken prime farmland that the kingdom claims as part of its historical territory. He was preparing the ground for the king’s arrival on Saturday.
Police had said yesterday the visit would not be allowed.
A spokesman for Kampala’s main Mulago Hospital said three people were killed in Friday’s unrest. Deputy police spokesman Richard Musesi told Reuters 50 had been admitted to hospital and about the same number arrested.