Fwd: Press Statement: To calm ethnic tensions in Rwenzori region, government has to address specific needs of ethnic minorities - Minority Rights Group omar d kalinge-nnyago +256 703 851 851 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mohamed Matovu Date: 10 July 2014 11:50 Subject: Press Statement: To calm ethnic tensions in Rwenzori region, government has to address specific needs of ethnic minorities - Minority Rights Group To: To calm ethnic tensions in Rwenzori region, government has to address specific needs of ethnic minorities - Minority Rights Group 10 July 2014 Minority Rights Group Africa (MRGA) condemns the weekend attacks in Ntoroko, Kasese and Bundibugyo districts in Rwenzori region in Western Uganda which claimed the lives of at least 72 people, including numerous civilians, two soldiers and three police officers. Now that the national spotlight is on Rwenzori region, and the Inspector General of Police and several senior intelligence agency officials have pitched camp to oversee coordination of security, MRGA urges the Ugandan government to use this opportunity to probe the historic causes of ethnic tensions in the region. It should initiate an inclusive consultation process, with a clear time-bound roadmap on how to end these tensions that sometimes turn bloody. This is the right moment for the government to walk the talk, says Jolly Kemigabo, MRGAs Africa Office Manager, adding, We all know there are historical injustices suffered by some ethnic groups like the Basongora who lost land, but the government has failed to resolve their issues. Local media reported that, although the motive of the assailants remains unknown, the army suspects links to long standing tensions between the Bakonzo, one of the major ethnic groups in Rwenzori region, and other minority ethnic groups like the Bamba, Basongora and Banyabindi. There were allegations that the attacks were organised by radical elements linked to the Rwenzururu cultural institution of the Bakonzo, which the kingdom has refuted. The assailants also reportedly attacked the palace of the just installed King of the Bamba ethnic minority group Maj John Kamya, killing one of his guards. In May 2014, the government recognised and financed the installation of the King of the Bamba something which angered the Bakonzo who argued the Bamba are under the jurisdiction of the Rwenzururu Kingdom. On the eve of the installation, there were clashes between the Bamba and Bakonzo. Since then, tensions have been high, with little attention from local and central government. The government, with the involvement of all stakeholders, has to push for peaceful co-existence while addressing deep-seated inequality and discrimination leading to the political and social exclusion of minority ethnic groups, adds Kemigabo. Such steps should include resettlement or compensation for evicted communities, and the economic empowerment of marginalized groups. Minorities and indigenous peoples in Uganda remain invisible and rank poorly on all health and economic development indicators compared to national averages. *Notes to editors* * Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is a non-governmental organisation working to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide To arrange interviews please contact: For interviews contact: *Contact MRGs Africa Press Office:* Mohamed Matovu T: +256 312 266 832 M: +256 782 748 189 E: [email protected] Twitter: @MinorityRights Facebook: facebook/minorityrights Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is the leading international human rights organisation working to secure rights for ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous people around the world. Registered in England and Wales, charity number 282305, registration number: 1544957, registered office: 54 Commercial Street, London E1 6LT. Disclaimer - July 10, 2014 This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for . If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute, copy or alter this email. Whilst MRG has taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that the onward transmission, opening or use of this message and any attachments will not adversely affect its systems or data. No responsibility is accepted by MRG in this regard and the recipient should carry out such virus and other checks as it considers appropriate. Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and might not represent those of MRG. Opinions, conclusions, contractual obligations and other information in this message, in so far as they relate to the official business of MRG, must be specifically confirmed in writing by MRG
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 09:31:49 +0000