SEMBABULE. One person was Thursday evening confirmed dead and two others including Lwemiyaga County legislator Theodore Ssekikubo injured as soldiers dispersed a political gathering in Sembabule District .
The meeting which was convened by Ssekikubo at Kirega Trading Centre in Lwemiyaga Sub County turned chaotic after his supporters clashed with those of his archrival retired soldier Brig Emmanuel Rwashande .
According to eyewitnesses, trouble started when Ssekikubo’s supporters ordered those of Rwashande to reduce the loud music which was playing on the sound system and allow the area MP to speak to the gathering –which they flatly rejected. ” When they refused , Ssekikubo went ahead and addressed the rally ,but as he was winding up , some soldiers emerged from the crowd and started beating everyone, when Ssekikubo supporters tried to fight back using clubs and stones , the soldiers opened fire killing one person only identified as Alex Ssembuusi ,” Sam Tumwine ,a resident in the area said
In the ensuing melee, a stray bullet hit Ssekikubo’s index finger on the right hand and another person Moses Mwesigye –a supporter of Brig Rwashande was shot on the head.
Ssekikubo had earlier conducted a similar rally at another township – Bugologolo which was successful to drum up support ahead of the July 16 National Resistance Movement Parliamentary primaries.
Paul Kanganve , the officer in charge of Lwemiyaga Police Station condemned the soldiers action ,saying they used excessive force at a public gathering which was peaceful .
“ It is unfortunate an innocent life has been lost ,it was really unnecessary for the armed soldiers to use excessive force to calm down supporters of rival political camps ,” he said
Ssekikubo said since NRM grassroot elections started in May , he has been pleading with the Army leadership to order soldiers out of Lwemiyaga politics ,but his request has not been honoured .
“Soldiers have no business in local politics , but they are always deployed in Lwemiyaga by my opponents to harass my supporters ,” he said
The soldiers who opened fire, according to eyewitnesses, are part of the security detail of retired Army officer Brig Emmanuel Rwashande who is jostling to unseat Ssekibubo as Lwemiyaga MP in next year’s General Elections .
Brig. Rwashande has the support of retired army officer Gen Phenihas Katirima who is a key influencer in the area .
He also has the full backing of President Museveni ’s younger brother Michael Nuwagira aka Toyota. Toyota is the chairperson of Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) , a political mobilisation outfit .
Other contenders in Lwemiyaga include Ms Joy Kabatsi ,the former state minister for Transport , John Patrick Kateeba ,a certified financial analyst , Edmond Bwire Nuwagaba, the chief executive director N+B Global Logistics , Geofrey Tumusiime Ndengana, a lawyer Migadde Juugu Amooti and Kato Jacob Mwesigye- all ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) -leaning aspirants .There is also Dr Asaph Tumwebaze who will stand as an independent .
Recently , Mr Tanga Odoi ,the NRM Party Electoral Commission chairperson warned party leaders and members in Sembabule to restrain from any electoral related violence saying it was denting the image of the ruling party.