At least 58 people were killed late Saturday in clashes between security forces and gangsters in western Uganda.
"We killed 41 attackers in Bundibugyo district outside a military barracks in a fierce fighting when the gang attacked us," police spokesperson Fred Enanga told Anadolu Agency on Sunday.
He added that two others were killed in Ntoroko town and a third in Kasese town.
"We lost three of our officers," said Enanga.
He explained that the attacks were carried out by groups of thugs armed with spears and guns.
The police spokesman said the attackers were suspected to be "radical elements linked to the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu, a Bukonjo cultural institution."
"They descended on the towns of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Karugutu in Ntoroko District and have so far killed and slaughtered 11 civilians," he added.
All the killings took place late afternoon and in the evening in the three districts.
"They chose to attack at the time people had finished having lunch and were relaxed considering it is a weekend," Enanga told AA.
"So far we have arrested seventeen attackers for further interrogation," he added.
By Halima Athumani
englishnews@aa.com.tr
http://www.aa.com.tr/en
