Police are holding at least 20 National Unity Platform (NUP) members arrested on Sunday following violence at the burial of former Busiro South Member of Parliament Charles Matovu in Kungu-Lutale, along Nakawuka Road in Wakiso District.
According to Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, the violence targeted mourners, including Kibuku County MP Herbert Kinobere and other supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who had attended the burial to pay their last respects.
Kinobere’s vehicle was reportedly pelted with stones, while its tyres were deflated before angry mourners chased him away from the burial site. Other MPs reportedly forced to flee on foot included Kenan Opio and Twaha Kagabo.
Some mourners were also reportedly heard accusing Kinobere of being among those responsible for the deaths of opposition figures, although the allegations remain unsubstantiated.
Police condemned the violence and urged Ugandans to set aside political differences during burial ceremonies, saying such occasions should be respected by people regardless of their political affiliations.
“We urge the public to respect mourners regardless of political affiliation and refrain from violence, intimidation and destruction of property. A deceased person relates not only to political people; he has friends, relatives and workmates,” Rusoke said.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations into the incident continue.
Matovu, 41, died on Thursday night at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he had been transferred from Lubaga Hospital for specialised treatment. He reportedly developed a sudden health complication on Monday evening, after which his condition deteriorated rapidly.
His death has triggered grief and suspicion among opposition supporters, with unverified claims of foul play circulating on social media. Some supporters have called for a transparent autopsy, although no evidence has been presented to substantiate the allegations.
Matovu was laid to rest at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, at his ancestral home in Kungu-Lutale. Violence reportedly broke out during the burial after some NUP supporters allegedly objected to the presence of NRM supporters at the ceremony.
Matovu represented Busiro South in Wakiso District during the 11th Parliament, from 2021 to 2026, on the NUP ticket. He lost his seat in the January 2026 general elections to the NRM’s Kenneth Opio and subsequently challenged the outcome in the High Court in Entebbe.
In September, the court dismissed his application seeking additional declaration of results forms and other electoral materials from 102 polling stations, ruling that the request lacked sufficient specificity. The main election petition was still pending at the time of his death.
English 