Sudanese refugees in bloody fight over World Cup game, 4 people dead

Police authorities in Uganda have arrested no less than 15 South Sudanese refugees after a bloody fight erupted at a refugee camp during a World Cup game which claimed four lives.

According to Uganda Deputy Police Spokesman Patrick Onyango, the bloodshed took place in a camp in West Nile region on Sunday during a match between Brazil and Switzerland.

Oyango said the fracas was between refugees from the Nuer ethnic group battling rival ethnic Dinka.

The Deputy Police Spokesman said trouble began at half time when a Dinka man, identified as Thon Majok, left the video hall, only to find when he came back that a Nuer man had occupied his seat.

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“Majok ordered the Nuer man to vacate the seat. The Nuer man declined. The two started fighting then each was joined by his tribesmen,” Onyango said by phone late on Thursday.

Oyango said a 13-year old boy was among the dead while also adding that the police had arrested 15 suspects in connection with the killing of the four and the injuring of several people.

“The security situation in the South Sudanese-dominated refugee camps has stabilised,” he said.

Oyango added that due to the violence, authorities had decided to separate refugees from the two ethnic groups and keep them in different camps.

 

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