Two protesters shot dead in clashes with police after fire at Kasubi Tombs

--------

Protesters dive for cover as a Ugandan soldier fires into the air at Kasubi Tombs


Two protesters were shot dead in clashes with police prompted by a fire at the Kasubi Tombs on the outskirts of the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

The blaze at the 128-year-old tombs, sacred to the Baganda tribe — and a Unesco World Heritage Site — consumed the thatched-roof mausoleum and many royal artefacts. At least two people died when security forces clashed with protesters who were angered by claims that the fire was caused by arsonists linked to the Government of President Museveni.

Supporters of Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the traditional ruler of the Baganda, had fought battles with police throughout Tuesday night. Matters came to a head when they tried to prevent President Museveni visiting the tombs yesterday, chanting and brandishing placards and setting up barricades when his motorcade approached.

Police began firing into the air after being confronted, according to Lieutenant- Colonel Felix Kulayigye. Two protesters were killed and five were injured.

Despite the protests, Mr Museveni continued to the site with extra security from four lightly armoured vehicles and hundreds of soldiers riding on pickup trucks. “I am suspicious. This could be arson,” he told the tomb caretakers as he toured the charred site. “The problem is, the place has been tampered with. We are going to investigate.”

Unesco said that it was dismayed by the event.

Businesses in the centre of Kampala remained open, but shops closed in the suburbs after youths converged on main roads, watched closely by security forces.

Peter Mayiga, a spokesman for the Buganda kingdom, described the fire as “an attack on Buganda” after a number of recent clashes with government forces, including battles with police in the streets of the capital in September. “This fire is very strange, given what we have been going through,” Mr Mayiga said.