By Ronaldo Kalangi
Two Indian men suspected to have murdered an eleven (11) year old boy in Lira District have been remanded.
Recently charged Lira residents caused violent protests on Saturday against the gruesome act of the alleged killers.
A local radio station, Unity FM, was closed and five members of staff arrested for what the authorities said was inciting violence against Indians and Pakistanis in the area.
The station manager however denied this and said they were simply reporting on the unfolding stories.
The two Indian nationals appeared in court to face charges of murdering Dickens Okello an 11-year-old boy.
The incident happened just over a week ago but it sparked anger following allegations of a cover up by authorities, who said the boy died of a heart attack.
The two suspects are being held in remand outside the district to avoid further tensions.
Saturday’s violence came after crowd at Dickens’ funeral attacked police officers and destroyed properties belonging to Indians and Pakistanis. Most of these business owners migrated to Uganda in recent years.
Asian-owned businesses remained closed in Lira by press time.
Security forces have stepped up deployments in the town and meetings have been planned to calm the situation.
