District boss blames violence on clergy

Kasese.

The Kasese District vice chairperson, Mr Elly Magwalha Masereka, has blamed the recent conflicts in Kasese on involvement of the clergy in partisan politics in the district.

Mr Masereka, while closing a peace talk workshop last Friday, criticised the different religious leaders for bringing disunity among the people because of their selfish interests for political gains.

“We shall never achieve peace in Kasese unless religious leaders withdraw from partisan politics. You should be a solution to conflicting parties but you have resorted to partisan politics,” Mr Masereka said.

“I am requesting you to play a neutral role if we are to bring peace in Kasese. However, if you engage in partisan politics, peace talks in the region will be a nightmare,” he added.
The district boss advised residents to amicably solve their wrangles without foreign intervention.
“We are the cause of our problems, we should be able to solve them on our own,” he added.

Mr Masereka said the negative media reports exaggerate and raise tension in the area yet there is no serious conflict. He urged the cultural institutions to work towards peace in the region.

Promoting peace
“Cultural institution must develop lines for their operations and commit to bringing peace in the district,” Mr Masereka said.
The assistant commissioner of police, Mr Nickson Olwa said early warning and early response project,’ an initiative of the ministry of Internal affairs seeks to promote peace in the country.

Earlier this year, the post-election ethnic clashes in Kasese left more than 15 people dead, including police, soldiers and civilians.