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Tribal clashes in DR Congo killed 270: government

Edmond — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:05:54 +0000

Inter-tribal clashes that raged over two months in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo killed 270 people, the Congolese government said on Tuesday.

Fighting broke out in late October between two tribes, the Lobala and the Bombona, in a dispute over rich fishing waters in Dongo, 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Gemena, the main town in the Sud-Oubangui district.

“The outcome of this macabre adventure is that over 187 civilians were killed in cold blood by Udjani,” Congolese Communication Minister Lambert Mende told reporters, referring to the witch doctor that led the Lobala faction.

He added that the Bombona lost 82 men when DR Congo forces intervened to break up the fighting in mid-December.

The 600-strong unit of commando reinforcements wrested back control of the Dongo region on December 13.

Uganda's Party animals drinking themselves to blindness, Death

Edmond — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:34:01 +0000

At Twincoz Bar, the clinking of beer bottles and the usual chorus of tusayukire wamu (cheers) has been deadened by a mournful mumble. Around the plastic tables of the roadside joint on the outskirts of Kampala, patrons talk of the scourge of sudden blindness followed by death.

In the past month, at least 40 Ugandans have died from drinking adulterated alcohol. In this unregulated east African country, believed to have the world’s highest rate of alcohol consumption, the news is terrifying. The authorities appear helpless. Worst of all, no one seems safe.

“Since the death of DJ Ronnie, we know it can happen to anyone,” said Twincoz owner Ruben Mugyeni. On 11 September, less than 24 hours after a night out with friends, popular radio presenter Ronnie Sempangi, 36, lost his sight, went into a coma and died from multiple organ failure. The late-night lonely-hearts presenter is thought to have unwittingly drunk lethal methanol. As one of the most-loved personalities in Uganda, thousands attended his funeral at Nanziga near Kampala.

Tanzania School Fire Kills 12 Girls

Edmond — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:42:58 +0000

welve schoolgirls who died in a fire at a school in Tanzania will be buried in a mass grave because their bodies cannot be identified, officials say.

The education department said the girls would be buried on Tuesday on the school grounds in Idodi, 460km (285 miles) west of Dar es Salaam.

President Jakaya Kikwete is expected to attend the burial.