The government has pledged to hold those responsible accountable following the fatal shooting of two young men during violence that disrupted Local Council One (LC1) elections in Buwenge Town Council, Jinja District.
The Minister for the Presidency and Budiope West MP, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the burial ceremonies held over two days for the victims, conveying the Head of State’s condolences and assuring the affected families that investigations into the incident would be conducted.
The violence occurred on Tuesday, July 28, at Buwenge Progressive Academy polling station in Kabi Zone, where clashes reportedly broke out during the LC1 elections, prompting security officers to open fire.
The deceased were identified as 19-year-old Fred Kalulu, a resident of Market Zone in Buwenge Town Council, who died at the scene, and 23-year-old Latibu Ikaali, who later succumbed to gunshot wounds at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.
Addressing mourners, Minister Babalanda described the loss of life as regrettable and said President Museveni had directed that justice be pursued.
“The President is saddened by this loss of life. Government will ensure that investigations are conducted and that those responsible are held accountable according to the law,” Babalanda said.
She condemned election-related violence, emphasizing that democratic processes should never result in the loss of innocent lives.
“Elections are about choosing leaders, not about shedding blood. Security agencies must ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” she said.
The minister also criticized the conduct of local security leadership, particularly the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), saying they had failed in their responsibility to prevent the violence.
“RDCs are the heads of security in the districts. How can you watch such a situation unfold and fail to intervene? This term, we shall not tolerate officers who are sleeping on the job. Immediate action will be taken,” she warned.
Babalanda said the government would take disciplinary action against the area RDCs over what she described as a failure to effectively manage the security situation that culminated in the deaths.
She further directed RDCs, the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies in Jinja and across the country to strengthen security supervision during electoral exercises to safeguard voters, candidates and polling officials.
The minister also instructed local leaders and security agencies to intensify community peace sensitization campaigns to discourage violence during elections and encourage residents to resolve electoral disputes through lawful channels.
As part of the government’s support to the bereaved families, Babalanda announced that each family would receive Shs10 million from President Museveni and an additional Shs5 million from the Inspector General of Police.
She apologized to the families on behalf of the government for the tragedy and expressed sympathy for their loss.
“I convey government’s apology for this unfortunate incident and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families during this difficult time,” she said.
Religious and community leaders who attended the burial services appealed for calm and urged young people not to allow themselves to be manipulated into causing violence during elections.
The LC1 elections, conducted across the country, are part of Uganda’s decentralization framework aimed at strengthening governance and improving service delivery at the village level. Leaders at the burial stressed that the exercise should promote democracy and community participation, not result in bloodshed.
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