Andrew Ssenyonga, a National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate for the Mukono Municipality parliamentary seat and former LC5 Chairperson for Mukono District, is currently hospitalized following a violent confrontation at Mukono Police Division on Wednesday night.
Ssenyonga, accompanied by over 50 supporters, reportedly stormed the police station demanding the immediate release of Joseph Sulume, the Goma Division registrar who had earlier been arrested on allegations of tampering with the just-concluded NRM primary election results.
Sulume, who had collected results around midday, allegedly went off the communication grid by switching off his phone until 6:00 p.m.
Upon reactivation, he was instructed to proceed under police escort to the tally centre. However, after submitting the results at around 9:00 p.m., Sulume was quietly taken into custody at Mukono Police Division.
Upon learning of Sulume’s detention, Ssenyonga and his entourage descended on the police facility in protest.
However, the confrontation turned violent. According to eyewitnesses, Ssenyonga and his brother, Rauben Ssenyonjo—the Mukono District Youth Councillor—were severely beaten during the fracas and initially admitted to Mukono General Hospital before being transferred to Nsambya Hospital for specialized treatment.
Journalists and bloggers who had followed the group to cover the unfolding events were also allegedly assaulted. Several had their recording devices confiscated and footage forcibly deleted.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Hassan Kasibante confirmed the incident and condemned the actions of Ssenyonga’s group, stating they attempted to breach police custody and free a detained suspect.
“Our security team could not allow such an act, especially because the cells had other suspects facing various charges,” Kasibante said. “They even tried to grab guns from our officers. However, we apologize for the misconduct against media personnel and investigations are ongoing to identify the officers responsible.”
Meanwhile, the presiding registrar for the Mukono district, Stephen Nakabaale, halted the process of tallying votes at Mukono municipality citing widespread irregularities.
He noted that the situation is currently being reviewed by the District Security Committee in conjunction with the NRM technical team to determine the next steps.
Despite the chaos in Mukono Municipality, elections in other constituencies proceeded relatively smoothly:
Mukono County North: Ronald Kibuule won with 12,728 votes, followed by Martha Kakayi (243) and Harriet Mutiibwa (237).
Nakifuma County: MP Kafeero Ssekitoleko secured 10,625 votes, ahead of Jackson Ntwatwa (642) and Kifomusana Mugambe (1,104).
District Woman MP: Margret Nakavubu led with 22,364 votes, trailed by Peace Kusasira Kanyesigye (16,668), Esther Nagawa Kabugo (497), and Doreen Nakanwagi (160).
Mukono South: Tadeo Kintu went through unopposed.
The NRM elections in Mukono District have once again spotlighted the challenges of managing intra-party democracy, especially in politically competitive areas like the municipality.
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