Kampala — THE locally recruited Police in Kasese have been replaced with a new force and sent to train at Masindi Police Training School.

"The move is meant to get them out of the conflict between the cultivators and the pastoralists in the district," the mid-western regional Police commander, Martin Abilu, said last week.

"We were disappointed that the out-going force was taking sides in the conflict between the pastoralists and the cultivators," he said.

"They have been replaced with the Mobile Police Patrol Unit who will be manning all the trouble spots." Abilu said after training, the officers would be redeployed elsewhere.

He said the district Police commander, Felix Ebong and the criminal investigations chief had also been transferred. Abilu said two new police stations would be established in Bigando and Rwehingo, the epicentres of the conflicts between the pastoralists and the cultivators.

Special Police Constables Julius Thembo, Simon Kasambangene and Jackson Mukuzi in Bigando, were recently arrested for allegedly shooting in the air and participating in the burning houses.

Over 10 people, 300 head of cattle have been killed, 40 houses burnt, more than 2,000 cultivators displaced in the conflict.