At least 84 people killed in three days of Christmas

By URN

At least 84 people died over the three-day Christmas celebrations across the country, according to security. The e deaths occurred between December 24 and December 26, 2023.

Thirty-eight of these died as a result of assault, eight committed suicide, a similar number were killed using blunt objects, and another eight were stabbed to death. In a joint brief released by Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, the security forces said eight people died by drowning in areas of Busia, and Jinja City. 

“Two people were shot dead, three were burnt to death by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Kamwenge,” Enanga said. In response to 84 deaths registered during Christmas, security forces have so far arrested 64 suspects currently being detained at various police stations.

Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) killed two suspected ADF rebels Wednesday morning in the fire exchange at Kiziba village, Kiziba parish in Kamwenge district. Brig Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF Spokesperson earlier said the Army is recruiting 1,400 Local Defence Personnel to beef up security in areas of Kamwenge, Kitagwenda, and Bunyangabo districts. 

Suspected ADF rebels have pitched a camp in the Kibaale forest which connects the districts in which the recruitment of LDUs is taking place. Last week, ADF killed 13 people mostly by hacking and arson. Police and UPDF have asked Ugandans to remain extra vigilant as celebrations for the New Year get closure. Security forces have said that the general Christmas period was peaceful apart from the deaths linked to ADF, drowning, assault, and suicide.