By KT Reporter
Police and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel on Wednesday fired live bullets in the air to disperse chaotic crowds during the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries in Namagera Town Council, Jinja District.
The commotion broke out after voters reportedly refused to follow the official party register and instead began lining up behind their preferred candidates. A section of concerned residents alerted security, prompting officers to seal off the area.
However, supporters from rival camps clashed, defying security guidelines and physically assaulting one another, which forced officers to fire in the air to restore order. The crowd eventually dispersed, allowing the electoral process to continue peacefully.
Despite the calm that followed, incumbent Jinja LCV Chairperson Moses Batwala, who is contesting for the NRM party flag, criticized the police response, describing it as excessive. He says the decision to release live ammunition created unnecessary panic and discouraged voter participation.
“Electoral processes are emotional events. As leaders, we must guide our people with calmness. The people fighting are from the same communities and need reconciliation, not force,” said Batwala.
Batwala added that he personally appealed to security personnel to use peaceful means, but his calls were ignored.
Kiira Region Police Spokesperson James Mubi defended the force’s actions, saying the swift response was necessary to prevent escalation.
“What may seem like a small scuffle can easily turn deadly if not contained. Our intervention was aimed at saving lives and maintaining order,” said Mubi.
He added that calm has since been restored in Namagera, with voters now adhering to the use of the party register, and that security presence across the Kiira region continues to ensure peaceful primaries.
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