Lira violence: Lango MPs attack government's position

Members of Parliament from the Lango sub-region have accused government of taking sides in the violence that broke out in Lira last week.

Following the death of 11 year old Dickens Okello, a pupil of Alito Primary School at the hands of two Indian nationals,  locals got up in arms accusing police of not doing anything to arrest the culprits.

In their clashes with the police, a number of people were injured.

On Tuesday, the State Minister for Internal Affairs, Kania Obiga issued a statement in regards to the Lira violence in which he said that the local community was being incited by some people to attack Indians.

But addressing a news conference on Wednesday, legislators from the area said government’s statement in regards the violence was wanting and that it was bending towards exonerating the culprits.

The legislators dismissed the report saying it was one sided and did not bother to address the key issues.

“Every time we have had an incident, the police have been very protective of the culprits. They have been very determined to frustrate all the attempts to secure justice for the victims,” said Erute South MP Jonathan Odur.

“We are highly disappointed by the impunity being exhibited by investors and Asian traders," Odur said.

The legislators said that the manner in which authorities have handled similar incidents in the past forced the locals in Lira to respond to the incident of Okello with violence.

Following the violence in Lira that a number of staff at the local based Unity FM were arrested for reportedly fanning this violence.

These included Charles Odongo -technical director, Keneth Opio-Assistant station manager, Felix Ogwang-presenter, Moses Alwala-news reporter, Micheal Ogwal-news anchor, Aron Ebwola-producer and Okello Emmanuel Zumulamai and Junior Engola both clients who had brought business announcements to the radio.

“These [radio messages] charged the community into violence against the Indian community and the incident left some police officers and civilians injured. They are currently receiving treatment from Lira Regional Referral Hospital while others were airlifted to Mulago National Referral Hospital,” Obiga Kania told parliament.