The attacks, which occurred on November 1, 2025, targeted civilians and security installations in what authorities have described as coordinated raids by unidentified assailants.
Security forces, led by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), have since been deployed across the affected areas, resulting in several arrests as investigations continue.
In a statement released today, RWEFRA, a group of Bakonjo professionals and community leaders led by Erick Bunnet Kitsa, strongly condemned the attacks and distanced the Bakonjo community from the perpetrators.
The association said the assailants were criminals and lawbreakers, not representatives of any ethnic group.
“These acts were carried out by wrong elements, not by the Bakonjo community as some reports have falsely suggested,” said Kitsa.
“We urge the public to avoid spreading misinformation that risks fuelling unnecessary ethnic tension.”
The group commended the UPDF, the Uganda Police Force, and local community members for their swift and coordinated response that helped restore calm in the region.
RWEFRA further called for thorough, fair, and unbiased investigations into the attacks, warning against the wrongful victimisation of innocent people.
“The actions of a few wrong elements should not be used to label an entire community,” the statement added. “Justice must be served, but it must be pursued lawfully and fairly.”
The association urged the youth in the sub-region to resist manipulation by wrongdoers and instead focus on government development programmes such as Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and the Parish Development Model (PDM). They encouraged those with grievances to use peaceful and legal means for conflict resolution.
RWEFRA also noted that for the past decade, the organisation has worked tirelessly to promote unity, peace, and coexistence among the diverse communities of the Rwenzori region.
“These attacks have deeply shaken us as peace builders,” Kitsa remarked. “We remain committed to fostering dialogue and understanding among all people of the Rwenzori.”
The association concluded by reaffirming its support for security agencies and its commitment to peace, urging the public to await an official police report before drawing conclusions about the attackers’ identities.
“Peace and coexistence remain the only path to lasting stability in our region,” RWEFRA emphasised.
Security forces are still pursuing the attackers, and the situation in the affected districts remains under close monitoring.