FIVE PEOPLE were killed in Lira on Wednesday when a peace march turned ugly.

Thousands of demonstrators had staged a march through Lira, justifiably angry at the continuing war and horrific killings at the Barlonyo camp.

After the marchers failed to meet President Museveni at the barracks, they started throwing stones at the police station. The police fired tear gas and the peaceful march became a riot.

Regrettably the rioters turned on Acholi and attacked them. Three people were killed. People who tried to intervene were roughed up. The police shot dead two rioters.

Lira was calm yesterday but Acholi were still clustered at the police station seeking protection.

These attacks were triply unfortunate. Firstly the Acholi and Langi are both Luo with shared values and history. Secondly the Acholi have suffered more than anyone else from the ravages of the LRA. Thirdly the Acholi in Lira on Wednesday were ordinary people with no involvement in the war.

Uganda has a long history of sectarian violence, between Catholic and Protestant, between north and south. It can spread like bush fire and be very difficult to put out. The consequent ethnic tension can last for decades or even centuries.

There has been so much improvement in ethnic harmony since 1986. We do not want to revert to the ugly past. Other flashpoints like Bugangaizi in Bunyoro were successfully defused. Things seem to have calmed down of their own accord in Lira but the Government must stay on maximum alert to ensure that violence does not erupt again in Lira. It is not good for anyone, not for the Acholi, the Langi or the rest of Uganda.

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