ABSTRACT
During the first few years following the eruption of the Rwenzururu movement the relations that had developed between the main protagonist parties in the conflict that is, the moderate and the secessionist wings of the movement, the Toro government and the Ugandan central government remained basically unchanged. Except for one instance, there were no direct reports of attacks by Mukirane's forces for some time. Given the almost constant turmoil caused by Mukirane's bands in certain areas of Bunyangabu, and the continuous migrations of displaced persons in both counties described in some detail above, such an argument was difficult to sustain. At Bundibugyo, for example, it was reported that 'Arab and Somali shopkeepers have received demands to pay money in order to assist the Rwenzururu movement. Thus although some 'fairly useful' discussions on local matters were held during the first meetings of the councils, it proved virtually impossible to go beyond discussion toward implementation of any proposed programmes.
