By KT Reporter
The recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections in the Greater Mukono districts were marred by violence, intimidation by security agencies, and widespread mistrust of the Electoral Commission, particularly among opposition candidates and their supporters.
Although voting largely concluded peacefully, tensions escalated during the tallying and declaration of results. Many candidates and voters feared that declared victories might be overturned.
But why were the results delayed? Was this a matter of administrative inefficiency or deliberate manipulation?
The belief that results were being withheld prompted supporters of various candidates to mobilise spontaneous demonstrations in several trading centres across Mukono, Kayunga, Buikwe, and Njeru municipalities, mainly on Thursday and Friday nights.
Protesters demanded the immediate declaration of candidates they believed had clearly won. Were these demonstrations entirely spontaneous, or were there coordinated calls to protest?
Who organized them, and what channels of communication were used?
The demonstrations quickly turned chaotic, prompting the deployment of heavily armed security forces, including the military. Security personnel used teargas and live ammunition to disperse crowds, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities.
Was the use of live ammunition proportionate to the threat posed by protesters? Were alternative crowd-control measures considered or deployed?
Among the victims was Jamila Nakimbugwe, daughter of Meddie Kayemba of Kaama village in Kimenyedde Sub- County, Nakifuma Constituency. The circumstances surrounding her shooting remain unclear.
An eyewitness claims she was a bystander when she was shot. Her father says he was informed of the incident minutes after it occurred. Nakimbugwe died while receiving first aid at Nakifuma Clinic.
Another fatality occurred in Mukono Municipality at Kikooza Cell, where George Luise Kabuye, aged 25, was shot in the back and died instantly.
Kabuye was a polling agent for President Yoweri Museveni at Mt Lebanon Church Polling Station–Gunga and a brother to Mukono Assistant Resident District Commissioner Esther Nakyazze Baroma.
Preliminary police findings indicate that Kabuye was shot while attempting to enter and hide in a bar as police dispersed rioters.
Was Kabuye actually part of the rioting, or was he caught in crossfire?
In Kyampisi Sub-county’s Buntaba village, Ibamu Ahebwa, a driver to Mukono North County MP Abdala Kiwanuka, was also shot.
Kiwanuka maintains that Ahebwa was at home at the time, contradicting claims that he participated in riots. Who verifies these conflicting accounts? What investigative mechanisms exist to hold security forces accountable for wrongful killings?
In Kayunga District, security forces used teargas and live bullets to suppress protests that began at the district tally centre.
During the unrest, Shafic Bukenya, a taxi broker in Bukolooto, was shot and later buried at Ntooke in Kayunga Sub-county.
After being dispersed, protesters spread to other parts of the district, eventually setting ablaze the NRM offices in Kayunga Town Council. Violence also erupted in Njeru Municipality, where Solomon Balwananga was shot at Nakibizzi and sustained severe injuries.
In a separate incident, Timothy Lukenge, a relative of Moses Lukanga (winner of the Njeru Municipality parliamentary seat), was shot and killed on the spot.
Ssezibwa Regional Police Spokesperson Hellen Butoto stated that those shot in Kayunga and Buikwe were actively participating in riots. She claimed Lukenge confronted security personnel with a panga, while Balwananga was part of a group burning property.
But can these claims be independently verified? How reliable are police statements when witnesses report contradictory narratives?
Greater Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Recheal Kawala, when contacted about the Mukono shootings, said she was unaware of the incidents.
How is it possible that senior police officials are unaware of such high-profile fatalities? Does this indicate a breakdown in communication within law enforcement?
In Mukono Municipality, protests were fueled by claims that results were being altered to favor NRM’s Dr Sarah Daisy Ssonko, who garnered 5,753 votes, against Betty Nambooze, who secured 22,691 votes. Supporters argued that such a wide margin made any delay suspicious.
In Mukono South, tensions rose over the delayed declaration involving Fred Kayondo of the Democratic Party, amid allegations that tallying lacked transparency.
In Nakifuma Constituency, riots erupted over claims that NRM’s Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko, who polled 16,274 votes, was being declared the winner over Sulaiman Kiwanuka, who scored 32,806 votes.
In Mukono North, protests followed reports that NUP candidate Abdala Kiwanuka had been arrested following a traffic accident involving his campaign vehicles.
Supporters alleged the arrest aimed to block his declaration in favor of NRM’s Ronald Kibuule. The unrest persisted until Kiwanuka was eventually declared the winner.
The Mpoma accident itself further inflamed tensions. Nine people in a Toyota Noah were injured after being hit by a double-cabin vehicle escorting Kiwanuka.
Two occupants of the escort vehicle were also injured. Kiwanuka admitted responsibility, claiming that Noah was transporting pre-ticked ballot papers.
Was this accident truly an attempt to intercept ballot papers?
Has there been any forensic investigation into the vehicle collision and its connection to electoral malpractice?
//Cue in: “Badda kummotoka //Cue out: …okwakalakasa Okwabadewo//
Although parliamentary results were eventually declared in Mukono North, Mukono South, Nakifuma, and Mukono Municipality, the violence left several families grieving, and communities traumatised.
With multiple deaths, conflicting accounts, and delayed official responses, who will hold security forces accountable? Will there be independent investigations into both the electoral process and the use of lethal force?
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