Riots rock Ugandan capital for second day, 3 die

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.