A tense political cloud hangs over Kamuli District following the fatal shooting of Sowedi Egumbye, the husband of Kamuli District Woman MP aspirant Sarah Auma, in what police have described as an act of election-related violence in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries.
Egumbye was gunned down by police on Wednesday night around 11:00 PM during a chaotic confrontation at the home of Buzaaya County MP Martin Muzaale.
The incident, which has since ignited anger and speculation across the district.
According to Busoga North Police spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha, a group allegedly linked to Auma’s campaign forcefully gained access to Muzaale’s residence using a vehicle from their motorcade to ram through his gate.
“They used one of the cars to knock the gate of Honourable Muzaale to gain entry,” Kasadha said in an interview with Baba FM.
“They injured people because they had weapons like pangas and hammers. These are some of the items we recovered from the scene.”
Police were reportedly called to the scene following a distress alert. Upon arrival, officers found the group attempting to flee.
In the ensuing confrontation, police fired bullets aimed at disabling the fleeing vehicle. Egumbye was struck in the process and later succumbed to his injuries.
“It is unfortunate. We wouldn’t want to lose anybody because of elections,” said Kasadha. “But people must follow the rules.”
Egumbye’s body was taken to Kamuli General Hospital for post-mortem examination, and police have since confirmed that they were responsible for the shooting.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter are ongoing.
Authorities allege that the violent encounter was part of a broader scheme to influence the NRM primaries through voter importation and intimidation tactics.
Kasadha revealed that several individuals arrested at the scene were not residents of the area.
“We are getting information that several candidates have ferried people from different areas to places where they do not vote,” Kasadha said. “That is a serious electoral offence.”
Auma, the bereaved widow and one of the key contenders for the Kamuli District Woman MP seat, had not issued a public statement by press time.
Earlier this month, she was involved in a separate road accident along the Kamuli-Jinja highway, from which she had been recovering.
The fatal shooting has sent shockwaves across the district and beyond, emerging as one of the most disturbing incidents in the ongoing NRM party primaries.
The incident has reignited public concerns about the safety and fairness of Uganda’s electoral processes, particularly in rural and contested constituencies.
Meanwhile, security forces in Kamuli and across Uganda have been placed on high alert. Authorities have warned that any violations of electoral laws or public order will be met with immediate arrest and detention until after the elections.
“Those who will prove not to be peaceful will be arrested and held until after the elections,” Kasadha emphasized.
English 