A prominent legislator in Bukomansimbi North was forced to flee for her life after being confronted by furious mourners who accused her of being responsible for the death of a 20-year-old boda boda rider.
Christine Ndiwalana arrived at the funeral of Marvin Kaweesi on Saturday evening, only to be met with hostility.
The young rider had died after being hit by an ambulance linked to the MP, and many in the community were demanding answers.
Kaweesi, a resident of Mpaama Village, was knocked down on February 12 while riding back from Kitaasa.
Witnesses say the ambulance, reportedly heading towards Kagologolo from Bukomansimbi Town, sped off after the crash, leaving the injured rider behind.
Kaweesi was rushed to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, but he died shortly after arrival.
His colleagues claim that when they reached out to Ndiwalana for help with medical bills, she dismissed their request.
“When I called her for assistance, she told me not to force her and then hung up,” one mourner said, urging them to take care of him themselves.
‘We were shocked when she later showed up at the funeral after showing no concern for his condition,” he narrated.
Tensions Boil Over
The MP arrived at the burial as a Catholic catechist led prayers, but her presence provoked an uproar.
A section of mourners heckled her and demanded she leave, while others physically confronted her.
Witnesses say Ndiwalana was pulled from her seat, and when her supporters attempted to whisk her away on a boda boda, an angry group of youth intercepted, toppling the motorcycle and sending her crashing to the ground.
Realising the growing danger, she was rushed into a nearby house, where she remained in hiding for about an hour.
Police, led by Bukomansimbi deputy Resident District Commissioner Fred Kalema, later arrived to restore order and escorted her to safety.
Speaking after the ordeal, Ndiwalana claimed the attack was politically motivated.
“I had brought Shs1 million as condolences for the bereaved family, but I was denied the opportunity,” she said.
She added that “an accident is an accident, and it is unfair to blame me when I wasn’t at the scene. Unfortunately, some people want to use this tragedy for political gain.”
However, initial police investigations indicate that the driver of the ambulance may have been using his phone at the time of the crash.
Authorities also revealed that he did not have a valid driving license.
Ndiwalana, who won the Bukomansimbi North seat in 2021 under the National Unity Platform (NUP), has been a rising political force in the region.
She secured 9,619 votes, defeating her closest rivals Ruth Katushabe (NRM) and Idd Kisiki Lubyayi (Independent).
Now, as police continue investigations into the fatal crash, the MP faces a battle not just for justice, but also for her political survival in a constituency where tensions are running high.
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