By KT Reporter
Hamuhambo town council in Rubanda East constituency, Rubanda district, has seen a surge in heavily armed police and Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) presence since Sunday night. This follows protests by locals accusing Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, Minister of State for Finance, of ordering the arrest and assault of his main political opponent’s agents, led by Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema.
Currently, four agents of Jogo—Kenneth Owoyesiga, Apollo Tumusingyize alias Map, Bruno Ndamwesiga, and Isaac Ainebyoona, all residents of Hamuhambo town council, are detained at Rubanda police station. They face accusations of attacking and damaging Musasizi’s vehicle on Thursday evening, as well as assaulting Musasizi’s agent, Danavence Tumwebaze, 68, a resident of Bushura parish.
Musasizi, the incumbent Rubanda East MP, had been campaigning for a fourth term, accompanied by Rubanda district LC V chairperson Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba, who is also seeking re-election. During the rally, Musasizi warned that anyone harassing or assaulting his supporters would be dealt with firmly, declaring himself “very strong and capable.” Kasyaba also warned Hamuhambo residents that failure to support them could lead to the loss of government services in the next term.
On Monday, our reporter observed police patrol vehicles and heavily armed police officers alongside UPDF soldiers foot patrolling the main trading center of Hamuhambo. Later, it was reported that Peter Kasisiri, Bushuura ward LC2 Chairman, was holding a meeting to calm locals protesting what they described as intimidation and harassment by Musasizi using soldiers.
Kasisiri told our reporter that the security operations, which began in the early hours of Sunday, sparked anger among residents. After Musasizi reported his vehicle was stoned and his agent assaulted, security forces conducted arrests in the area overnight. Kasisiri recounted that security officers attacked Moses Owoyesigyire from Kabugu village, assaulting him and breaking his leg, despite Owoyesigyire having no involvement in the incident. “nokureeba ngu twateera omuranga… kiratuteeza esibo.”
Village leaders Gad Ruhara (Nyakihanga LC1), Sanyu William (Bushura LC1), Silva Tirwakunda (Kataraga LC1), and Geoffrey Rwabarundi (Haruhasya LC1) expressed frustration over the targeting, beating, and arrests of locals not supporting Musasizi. They accuse security authorities of acting on Musasizi’s unverified claims and urge higher authorities to investigate.
Owoyesigyire narrated his ordeal: “I was sleeping when armed men in police and army uniform violently knocked on my door. They beat me while demanding why I assaulted Tumwebaze. I screamed for help but got none. The beating stopped only after Tumwebaze advised them to look for my son instead. I now suffer from a broken leg and fear reporting to police again.”
Hamuhambo town council LC5 chairman Aggrey Bandebaho, Bushura ward A councilor Jane Tushemereirwe, and deputy speaker Andrew Niwamanya urged calm. Their investigations suggest security forces arrested Jogo’s agents on false grounds to prevent them from voting on July 17, 2025. They call on voters to be vigilant and question why security has not investigated Musasizi or his escorts, accused of assaulting a rally attendee wearing a reflector jacket linked to a rival campaign.
Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema voiced concern over the intimidating military and police presence. He urged supporters to remain peaceful and called on the Inspector General of Police and President Yoweri Museveni to intervene, citing bias favoring Musasizi.
When contacted, Musasizi asserted that arrests of Jogo’s supporters will continue as he will not tolerate intimidation of his supporters.
Elly Maate, Kigezi region police spokesperson, denied bias. He cited the example of Ainebyoona, who allegedly entered Tumwebaze’s room, defaced Musasizi’s campaign poster, and broke a plate. Ndamwesiga is also accused of assaulting Tumwebaze on accusations of supporting Musasizi. As of Monday evening, the heavy deployment of security forces in Hamuhambo town council remained visible-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
