MP Francis Mwijukye and Journalist Juliet Kyarisima Injured in Land Dispute Clash in Buhweju
Buhweju County MP, Francis Mwijukye, and Vision Group journalist Juliet Kyarisima are recovering from injuries after being attacked during a contentious land dispute. The incident took place in Rwanyamabare Village, Omuhambo Kyakatungu Parish, Buhweju District, as they attended Sunday Mass at Rwanyamabare Catholic Church.
In a violent confrontation linked to land disputes in Buhweju district, MP Francis Mwijukye and several others sustained injuries after being attacked by alleged land grabbers armed with machetes, sticks, and stones.
According to Deo Atuhaire, the Buhweju district LC 5 chairperson, the incident occurred during a community meeting at Rwanyamabare Catholic Church, where Mwijukye was addressing local concerns about land encroachment by neighboring lawyer Edwin Burimbare.
During the attack, Mwijukye suffered head injuries from stones and was rushed to Mbarara Referral Hospital for a CT scan, although he later sought treatment elsewhere. Vision Group journalist Juliet Kyarisima also incurred minor injuries, and her reporting equipment was damaged.
Local authorities reported that seven additional people were seriously injured in the attack and are now receiving care at Nsiika Health Center IV. While Burimbare has denied the accusations, calling them a setup by Mwijukye, the dispute over the land ownership continues, with the Burimbare family asserting historical rights to the property.
Police in Greater Bushenyi have yet to release a statement on the incident and attempts to contact Mwijukye have been unsuccessful as his phones remain off.
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