The Uganda Law Society (ULS), an association charged with ensuring high levels of professionalism among lawyers in the country has called on both sides involved in the Kasese clashes (Security officials and Rwenzururu royal guards) to cease fire and exercise restraint to avoid further loss of lives and property.
The call was made in statement released by the Association’s President, Francis Gimara on Monday, November 28.
Fresh clashes between joint security officials (Police and UPDF) and Rwenzururu royal guards broke out on Saturday morning, leaving 14 security officers and 40 Rwenzururu royal guard unit killed.
The society has since condemned the killings of Ugandans from both sides of the conflict referring to them as unnecessary.
“The unnecessary deaths and destruction of property in Kasese reminds us of our painful past as captured in the preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and need to avoid violence as a means of resolving dispute,” the statement reads in part.
The government accuses Rwenzururu King Wesley Mumbere of terrorizing people with his militia.
Mumbere is also faulted for refusing to comply with a presidential request to hand over suspected militants at his palace for interrogation by police.
ULS today noted that their human rights and litigation committee is on ground in Kasese to follow up on the incident and make sure that the perpetrators of the incident are brought to book.
They requested that a commission of inquiry, involving both parties, international community, human rights bodies and observers be set up to investigate the cause of the conflict for a permanent solution and that all journalists arrested be released without condition.
“We demand immediate release of Joy Doreen Biira and all reporters/journalists arrested for covering this event,” the statement further reads.
Police today moved with the Kenya-based Ugandan news anchor to check the residence where she has been living since she returned for her wedding ceremony last week.