Police in Adjumani district are investigating an incident in which a vehicle belonging to the Adjumani Town Council LC III chairperson, Lawrence Mangapi, was set on fire following a post-election confrontation.
The incident comes days after independent candidate James Mawawi won the Adjumani East County parliamentary seat with 18,149 votes, defeating the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Dulu Angel Mark, who polled 14,682 votes. Another contender, Pascus Ecima, garnered 317 votes.
The violence occurred on Saturday, January 17, in Dzaipi sub-county, when Mangapi, accompanied by three unidentified men, visited Dulu’s home, reportedly to console him following his electoral loss. The visit, however, is said to have sparked a confrontation with some of Dulu’s supporters.
During the scuffle, Mangapi and his companions reportedly sustained injuries, while his vehicle, registration number UBR 018F, was set ablaze. Police officers, led by Adjumani district police commander Harbert Masembe, later intervened to restore calm.
North West Nile regional police spokesperson, Collins Asea, confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing. He appealed for restraint among residents as police establish the circumstances surrounding the violence.
“We ask residents to remain calm, avoid actions that could heighten tensions, and allow us to complete our investigations into the incident,” Asea said.
Dulu suggested that the situation escalated due to a misunderstanding by his supporters.
“Mangapi and his team arrived with symbolic gifts intended to convey goodwill, but the situation escalated after he received calls from other leaders, which some supporters misinterpreted,” Dulu noted.
Mangapi, however, maintained that the visit was part of a wider post-election engagement aimed at promoting reconciliation and unity among community leaders in the district. He also dismissed claims that his team carried an egg as a gift.
“The visit was part of a broader post-election outreach to community leaders, including Gen. Moses Ali, Tandrupasi Patrick, Raleo Rose, and Mamawi James, aimed at fostering dialogue and unity following the elections,” Mangapi said.
Police say inquiries are continuing as they work to identify those responsible for the arson and to prevent further post-election unrest in the area.