The family of the late Yasin Kawuma has welcomed a High Court order directing an inquest into his killing during the 2018 Arua Municipality by-election, expressing hope that the process will finally establish how he died and who was responsible.
In a ruling delivered on July 6, 2026, Justice Harriet Grace Magala directed the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Arua to conduct an inquest into Kawuma’s death, describing the move as just, fair and necessary in the interests of justice, the family and the public. The decision arose from Miscellaneous Cause No. 0008 of 2019, filed by Kawuma’s widow, Alice Mwesigwa, who sought court orders compelling the State to investigate the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death.
Speaking to Uganda Radio Network (URN), Kawuma’s brother, Abdul Kalim Nsereko, said the family has waited nearly eight years for answers. He said Kawuma left behind more than 11 minor children from different mothers, leaving relatives with the burden of providing for their welfare and education. Nsereko said the family has never received any meaningful government support since Kawuma’s death.
He recalled that they rejected Shs10 million brought by singer Catherine Kusasira, saying they believed it was being presented as compensation disguised as condolence money. “At that time, she brought the money in the guise of condolences and we rejected it. Since 2018, when my brother was killed, we have received nothing from government. The new court order gives us some relief, and we hope that one day my brother will get the justice he deserves,” he said.
Nsereko said the family’s greatest desire is to establish who killed Kawuma and why no one has ever been held accountable. Although the court-ordered inquest has renewed hope, Nsereko said years of uncertainty have taken a heavy emotional toll on the family.
He said some relatives, including Kawuma’s widow, have continued pursuing justice through the courts, while others have resigned themselves to the situation. “Ever since he died, we have been living with the pain. Our loved one was killed in circumstances that have never been clearly explained. Some of us, including the widow, are still pursuing the court process. But others have given up and are trying to leave everything behind because it is hard to get justice from this government,” he said.
Nsereko also warned that some individuals have approached the family claiming they could help secure justice, only to demand money. He urged families pursuing similar cases to be cautious of fraudsters seeking to exploit their grief.
Kawuma was shot dead on August 13, 2018, during the heated Arua Municipality parliamentary by-election. At the time, Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), then MP for Kyaddondo East, was campaigning for independent candidate Kassiano Wadri, who was facing candidates backed by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Violence erupted after rivalling political processions converged in Arua Town, with security agencies alleging that stones had been thrown at President Yoweri Museveni’s motorcade. During the ensuing security operation, live ammunition was fired.
Kawuma, who was driving Kyagulanyi’s vehicle, was fatally shot after a bullet pierced the windscreen while he was seated inside the Toyota Tundra outside Pacific Hotel. Following the incident, Kyagulanyi, several opposition Members of Parliament and dozens of supporters were arrested and charged with treason.
Those charges were later withdrawn. Nearly eight years later, no individual has been prosecuted over Kawuma’s killing, making the court-ordered inquest the first formal judicial process aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding his death-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
