Adjumani, 12 December 2019: Following Wednesday deadly fighting erupted between the native Madi of Nyumanzi Parish, Dzaipi Sub-county, Adjumani District, and the Dinka refugees from neighboring South Sudan, the clashes between the two communities forced hundreds of people -- mostly women and children out of their homes.  By press time this afternoon about 200 families have taken shelter in the office premise of Resident District Commissioner in Adjumani, Town. 

The fighting was triggered after one Madi man by name Amanzuru Stephen was believed to be killed in cold blood by a group of Dinka men. When some natives went to inquire about what took place, the Dinka men reacted by attacking the natives, hence sparking fighting which has set the host community against the Dinka refugees. After a few hours of fighting, the Ugandan security forces [the police and army] intervened to calm the situation.  

The intervention by security forces came a bit too late so save some lives as the security forces have become victims of the fighting too [ one of their own was killed in between] according to the source in the ground, at least seven people were believed to have been killed yesterday alone including a police officer.  

Early in the morning today [ Thursday] fresh fighting resumed, believed to be sparked by some Dinka men, and has sporadically continued the whole day. As a result of the fighting, many women and children fled to Adjumani town, taking refugees at the compound of the Resident District Commissioner. 

The current round of fighting is the second in two years, between the natives and the Dinka refugee's community. Last year fighting also erupted in Ayilo refugee camp between the natives and Dinka refugees, when the Dinka refugees killed a native girl. 

The source in the ground who spoke to SSLN said the numbers of causalities is expected to rise as there are people whose whereabouts remained unaccounted for. 

SSLN