Police in Busoga East are investigating the death of 33-year-old Peter Kaluya, who was fatally assaulted after participating in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) grassroots primaries in Malongo Sub- County, Mayuge District.
Kaluya, a resident of Bulubude Village, was reportedly attacked by a mob shortly after aiding the presiding officer’s escape from an angry crowd.
He succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a nearby hospital. His body is currently at the Mayuge Health Centre IV mortuary awaiting a postmortem.
Eyewitnesses, speaking on condition of anonymity, said violence erupted when the presiding officer declared Isaac Lwakala the elected NRM chairperson for Bulubude Village a result that enraged supporters of his opponent, Khuzaima Wante.
Supporters of Wante allegedly seized the declaration forms in an attempt to destroy them.
Amid the chaos, Kaluya reportedly hired a motorcycle to help the presiding officer flee, an act which was misinterpreted as sabotage.
The mob turned on Kaluya, beating him severely before fleeing upon realizing he was unconscious.
A local resident blamed escalating electoral violence on powerful NRM figures in the district who, she claims, fuel factionalism and bankroll candidates to further their political interests.
She said grassroots elections have become high-stakes battles due to a lack of formal party support at the village level.
“Unlike in the past when barazas helped us agree on local leaders, today’s elections are driven by money and intimidation,” she said.
“Some candidates even ferry in non-residents to sway results, while unemployed youth—many battling drug addiction—are easily incited for as little as 1,000 shillings.”
Busoga East Police spokesperson, Michael Kafayo, confirmed the incident, stating that detectives are working with intelligence teams to track down the suspects, who may be attempting to flee to neighboring island communities.
Kafayo strongly condemned the violence, calling it a setback to democratic progress. “Electoral violence is a double-edged sword. It causes irreversible harm to victims and leads perpetrators straight to prison,” he warned.
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