By KT Reporter
Police in Rubanda District have launched a manhunt for individuals who allegedly pelted stones at and damaged a vehicle belonging to Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance in charge of General Duties. According to Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, the incident occurred on Thursday evening at around 6:40 p.m. at Hakashanje Playground in Nyakahanga Village, Bushura Parish, Hamuhambo Town Council.
Maate said the minister’s convoy was attacked by yet-to-be-identified individuals in the crowd as he departed from a campaign rally. Musasizi, who is the incumbent Member of Parliament for Rubanda East Constituency, had spent the day canvassing support for a fourth term in office. He was accompanied by the Rubanda District LC5 Chairperson, Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba, who is also seeking re-election.
“Unknown persons in the crowd threw stones at Musasizi’s convoy, shattering the windows of his vehicle. His security escorts were forced to fire bullets in the air to disperse the angry crowd,” said Maate. He added that earlier in the day, tensions had been mounting in the area, with some locals reportedly defacing and destroying Musasizi’s campaign posters.
Police have since registered a case of malicious property damage and commenced investigations. Maate cautioned the public against engaging in acts of political violence and emphasized the need to respect one another’s rights during the election period.
While Musasizi has not yet issued an official statement regarding the attack, he had earlier warned that anyone who harassed or assaulted his supporters would be dealt with firmly. During the same rally, Kasyaba also warned residents of Hamuhambo Town Council that they risk losing access to government services in the next term if they fail to support him and Musasizi.
Musasizi is facing stiff competition in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries from the former and pioneer Rubanda District LC5 Chairperson, Jogo Kenneth Biryabarema. In the 2021 elections, which were marred by violence, eight supporters of Biryabarema were reportedly beaten and injured by Musasizi’s supporters during a campaign event at St. Mark Kashaki Catholic Sub-Parish in Kashaki B Village, Bubare Sub-County.
Clashes erupted when Musasizi’s supporters blocked their rivals from accessing the church compound where the rally was being held. Biryabarema later lost the election to Musasizi-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
