Ugandan jewel burnt

Ugandan security forces killed two people and wounded five on Wednesday after fire destroyed historic royal tombs, heightening tension between the government and the powerful Bugandan kingdom.
A Reuters witness said the shooting happened when security forces were clearing Bugandan loyalists from the charred remains of the tombs where their royalty are buried, so President Yoweri Museveni could visit the site, gutted by fire on Tuesday night.
Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba said two people were killed at the tombs and five wounded. She said it was not clear who was responsible for the deaths.
Reuters Television footage showed Red Cross officials carrying away a number of people with gunshot wounds.
The cause of the blaze which destroyed the thatched-roof mausoleum and centuries-old royal relics at the UNESCO World Heritage Site has not been identified, but some angry protesters suspected foul play.

18.03.10