By KT Reporter
At least five people have been injured after violent clashes erupted during a campaign rally for the Aringa North Constituency parliamentary race in Yumbe District.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening at around 5:00 pm in Tuliki Village, Arilo Sub-County, when supporters of two rival political camps clashed at a rally at Tuliki Primary School grounds.
Police have identified the injured as Abdul Hamid Nuru, 32, a resident of Kololo Village, Adinan Chandiga, 51, from Agua Village, Yasin Taban, 32, a resident of Tuliki Village, Jawad Manager, 21, also a resident of Tuliki Village, and Said Yope, 47, a resident of Uraba Village, all in Yumbe District.
Asea Collins, the North West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, explains that the violence began when supporters of the ruling party flag bearer, Hon. Onzima Godfrey, allegedly armed with sticks and machetes, arrived at the rally ground where Karimu Musa, an independent candidate, was scheduled to campaign. He further noted that tensions quickly escalated, leading to physical confrontation between the two groups.
“Supporters of the opposing candidate allegedly attacked the group with sticks and pangas, resulting in injuries to the individuals listed above,” Asea noted.
According to Asea, so far, one suspect, Swadick Andruga, the LC1 Chairperson of Abirirua Village, has been arrested and is being held at Yumbe Central Police Station to assist with investigations.
“One suspect, identified as Andruga Swadick (also known as Angolibo), the LC1 Chairman of Abirirua Village, has been arrested to assist with ongoing investigations and is allegedly connected to the incident,” he said.
Sulaiman Lubowa, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Yumbe, condemned the violence and warned political actors and their supporters against acts that could destabilize the electoral process. Lubowa further noted that the district security committee has already summoned the affected candidates for a security meeting tomorrow to address the matter.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over rising political tensions in the West Nile sub-region ahead of the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections due on Thursday next week, where competition among candidates has become increasingly intense.
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