Several people were injured on Monday following violent clashes between rival camps during campaigns for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket in the Nakaseke North parliamentary race.
The violence broke out at Kinyogogga Trading Centre between supporters of Phillip Ndamira Tumukunde and incumbent MP Enock Nyongore, both of whom are vying for the NRM flag in the 2026 general elections.
Samuel Mwesigye, the LCIII Chairperson of Kinyogogga Sub-county, said the scuffle erupted after supporters from the two camps encountered each other shortly after holding separate rallies.
According to Mwesigye, Nyongore’s supporters allegedly initiated the violence by attacking Ndamira’s team, sparking retaliatory beatings.
“The problem stemmed from MP Nyongore transporting his supporters to the trading centre. I condemn such acts and urge candidates to stop ferrying supporters and provoking one another,” Mwesigye said.
Eyewitnesses reported that the rival groups beat each other using sticks and also hurled stones. Mwesigye noted that sticks are commonly carried by residents in the area due to the pastoral lifestyle, but in this case, they were used in the violence.
Ndamira condemned the attack, describing it as unprovoked and politically motivated.
“We coincidentally met in the same town. Our supporters were peaceful, only to be attacked by our rivals. Fortunately, we managed to contain the situation quickly. Only two of our supporters were injured,” Ndamira said.
He added that his campaign has emphasized peaceful elections and urged his supporters to reject violence.
“We have attracted overwhelming support, which has unsettled the incumbent. His bodyguard, Daniel Komuzeire, is inciting violence, and we have asked the police to investigate his role,” he alleged.
Attempts to reach MP Nyongore for a comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to repeated calls.
Paul Tandeka, the NRM District Registrar for Nakaseke, also condemned the violence and blamed both candidates for holding uncoordinated rallies.
“I have received a briefing on the incident and summoned all candidates for a meeting to harmonise campaign schedules. This will be held tomorrow at the district headquarters,” Tandeka said.
Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson, said no formal complaint had been filed, but police and the Resident District Commissioner would meet with candidates to ensure peaceful campaigns going forward.
Other contenders in the NRM primaries for Nakaseke North include Professor Wilber Ahebwa and Julius Nabimanya, a former NBS TV journalist.
Nakaseke North is an NRM stronghold and has a history of election-related violence. In 2011, opposition candidate Moses Kabalema’s vehicles were torched. In 2016, opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and other candidates were blocked from accessing voters due to intimidation.
By 2021, continued hostility and threats led opposition parties to withdraw from the race, allowing MP Nyongore to run unopposed.
English 