At least 65 people have been killed in clashes between tribal gunmen and Ugandan government troops in the west of the country near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials said Sunday. It was not immediately clear what sparked and who was behind the violence, but the region has been hit by recent communal violence between Christians and Muslims, and is also an area where an Islamist rebel group is known to operate.
"So far 54 of the attackers have been put out of action, and 40 of their colleagues have been captured and are in custody, effectively bringing sanity to the region," said a regional army spokesman, Ninsiima Rwemijuma.
"We are still combing the area for any of the thugs that could be hiding," he added.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga said the overall toll from the clashes on Saturday and security sweep on Sunday stood at 65 dead, with several civilians and soldiers among the casualties.
The violence occurred in the areas of Kasese and Bundibugyo, close to the Rwenzori mountains which straddle the border between Uganda and DR Congo.
The clashes came hours after the army announced it had killed a person suspected of involvement in an attack by Muslims on a church in the border region two weeks ago, during which a woman was decapitated by the attackers and her head placed on the altar.
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