Kiruhura District Chairperson survives assault by angry traders

Kiruhura District Chairperson, Rev Samuel Mugisha Katugunda this morning survived being attacked by a section of angry traders at Kanyarugiri market in Ibanda North County ,Ibanda district, accusing him for blocking traders from Kiruhura to attend to their business in the market .

According to the lady councilor representing Nyabarebe Sub county Katushabe Grace, who was at the scene, trouble between the Kiruhura district Chairperson Rev Katugunda and traders started immediately after he said Kanyarugiri is operating illegally and started mobilizing some traders to leave and to go to his Kyambu market in Buremba Sub County in Kiruhura district which he opened after the closure of Kanyarugiri over suspected foot and mouth disease outbreak.

Kanyarugiri was reopened recently by district officials led by District Chairperson Melichiadis Kajwenge after its closure for about three months.

Traders who described the act of the Chairperson as self centred, rejected and started rebuking him prompting police from Kanyarugiri police stationto intervene to prevent possible further chaos.

Speaking to Rwenzori Fm Eiraka Radio, Natandu Ivan, the Kanyarugiri OC station confirmed the incident and appealed to the two parties to solve their issues amicably, adding that they are investigating the matter. By press time, the Chairperson was still at Kanyarugiri police station to give a statement regarding the incident. Efforts to get his comment were however futile.