S. Sudanese nationals attacked after artist dies in Kampala

December 29, 2015 (KAMPALA) – A teenager was injured, a home and four cars set ablaze as dozens of Ugandans turned their anger against South Sudanese nationals over the death of a local musician in Bwaise, a Kampala city suburb on Tuesday.

According to the Ugandan police, investigations are underway to establish the cause of the artist’s death, urging members of the public not to take the law into their own hands.

“Master Blaster died on wounds he suffered when a police officer accidentally released the bullet last night at the club,” Patrick Onyango, the Uganda Police spokesman, said.

“An investigation is ongoing and the police officer is detained to help in investigation. At this moment, we don’t know if the artist was killed by police bullet or somebody else,” he added.

A 19-year old South Sudanese student, only identified as Ayuen, was rescued by police when he was attacked while on a motorcycle with friend. Another student, identified as Jacob, escaped unhurt. Ayuen sustained “a deep knight cut” to his forehead and was unconscious when police saved him from angry mobs, his relatives told Sudan Tribune.

He was later found at Kawempe police station, according to his close family members.

Local television footages showed burnt homes rented by South Sudanese in Bwaise. In one such report, all possessions in the home were burnt to ashes but there is no information of the occupants. South Sudanese living in Kawempe, a Bwaise neighbourhood, said they remained indoors most of the evening for fear of attacks.

Thousands of South Sudanese live in Kampala, where their most of their children study.

Attempts to get comments from the South Sudanese embassy in Kampala were futile.

(ST).