At least three people were killed and over 90 suspects arrested during Thursday’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) primary elections, which were held to select party flag bearers ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
According to police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma, the elections were largely peaceful across the country, including in previously volatile districts such as Sembabule, Isingiro, and Mubende. However, he noted isolated incidents of deadly violence, particularly on Wednesday night.
“The security situation was generally calm, but we did record three deaths linked to electoral violence,” Kituuma said.
Fatal shooting in Kamuli
In Kamuli district, Sowedi Igumbye was shot dead on Wednesday night while driving with a passenger, John Bosco, in a vehicle bearing registration number UAR 749F. Kituuma said preliminary investigations point to a security-related kidnapping attempt. Five suspects have been arrested to aid in the investigation.
In Zombo district, a woman was attacked with bows and arrows while returning from a campaign rally in what police described as an attempted murder. In Isingiro South, police arrested a man identified as Benoni Tumwine, who was allegedly found in possession of a hand grenade in Kamubezi town council.
In Dokolo South constituency, authorities intercepted a taxi carrying 14 suspected bouncers who were reportedly hired to disrupt the elections. In Iganga district, 68 individuals, allegedly students from the Law Development Centre (LDC), were arrested.
Police say the LDC students were ferried from Kampala by a candidate with the intent to interfere in the electoral process. The group was reportedly housed in a single location and arrested following a tip-off.
In total, over 90 suspects are now in custody, Kituuma confirmed, as security forces work to maintain order and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
What is wrong if the students were eligible voters in the constituency? Were they in the yellow book? Then transporting them had no problem.
If Ugandans can’t sober up and regain their senses in politics, they will suffer the consequences of foolishness and a failure to learn from Uganda’s history, which include death as happened in the places referred to in the article.