Buhweju, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | In Buhweju district, Francis Mwijukye, the Member of Parliament for Buhweju County, and Juliet Kyarisima, a journalist affiliated with Vision Group, are recovering from injuries sustained in a confrontation over land wrangles.
The incident took place in Rwanyamabare Village, Omuhambo Kyakatungu parish, during Sunday Mass at Rwanyamabare Catholic Church. According to Deo Atuhaire, the Buhweju district LC 5 chairperson, Mwijukye was attacked by a group armed with machetes, sticks, and stones, sustaining head injuries.
The assault occurred while Mwijukye was addressing members of the church, who accused Edwin Burimbare, their neighbor, of land encroachment.
In addition to Mwijukye, seven others were seriously injured and admitted to Nsiika Health Center IV. Halson Kagure, Head of Communications at Mbarara Referral Hospital, confirmed Mwijukye’s admission for a CT scan, although he later discharged himself for treatment elsewhere.
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Kyarisima suffered minor injuries, but her equipment, including a camera and laptop, was damaged. Edwin Burimbare, a lawyer accused of land grabbing, refuted the claims and accused Mwijukye of instigating the attack.
The Burimbare family asserts historical ownership of the disputed land.
Currently, the police in Greater Bushenyi have not issued a statement regarding the incident. Attempts to contact Mwijukye for comment were unsuccessful as his known phones were off.
