Electoral violence claims 3 lives in Isingiro

Three people have lost their lives in electoral violence in Isingiro district. The dead are Wilber Nkabadiho, a resident of Katuragye village Katuragye sub-county, Musa Bright, a resident of Rugaga trading centre and Gordon Muhumuza, 20, a resident of Karo A111, central ward Kabuyanda town council.

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region police spokesperson, says Nkabandiho was shot dead by a private guard Siddi Katiikiro who fired at rowdy voters in Katuragye cell in Isingiro town council. According to information from some residents, the deceased was a polling agent of Dr Ponsiano Mugyenyi, the rival of Bright Rwamirama, Isingiro County MP.  

Musa was shot by a UPDF soldier in Rugaga trading centre. He breathed his last while being rushed to Mbarara regional referral hospital for treatment. According to Kasasira, Musa was hit as UPDF officers dispersed supporters of Jeremiah Kamurari, one of the candidates for Bukanga West became violent.

Muhumuza, on the other hand, was killed in mob action. According to Kasasira, the deceased was lynched by the mob around 4:00 pm when he tried to interfere with the electoral process.

“Our preliminary investigations show that the deceased who got late at the polling centre, tried to interfere with the election process, which annoyed people and they started beating him until death,” he said.

He said police have started hunting for the mob members to face the law.

“We are seriously investigating all these incidents especially for the UPDF officers so that we can arrest one who is in hiding now," he said.

Wisdom Colleb, an eyewitness to the mob action, says people turned rowdy when they heard that soldiers had shot people in the neighbouring Isingiro town council.

“Tension started rising after news started making rounds that soldiers had shot the supporters of Dr Posiano Mugyenyi. People got annoyed and stoned Muhumza to death after he tried to hide some declaration forms,” he said.