KAMPALA .
At least nine people have been arrested in connection with the death of three people during the chaos and fighting that married the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) village elections across the country on Tuesday .
One of the victim was Beter Kaluya ,a resident of Bulubude Village in Malongo Sub County ,Mayuge District while the other two include; Silvano Bikorwomuhangi, a resident of Bugo village, Musamba parish, Rubaya Sub County in Kabale District and 30-year-old Swaliki Lwayanga, a resident of Luswiga Zone, Nantamu Ward, Bulanga Town Council,Luuka District .
Those injured are; Ivan Oketch and Nabugo Peterson-both residents of Luswiga Zone,Nantamu Ward, Bulanga Town Council in Luuka District.
According to Mr Michael Kasadha, the Busoga North Regional Police spokesperson, Detective Corporal Denis Emojong is in their custody for shooting the trio .He said their preliminary investigations reveal that Emojong shot the trio after chaos erupted during voting at Noor Islamic Primary Teachers College playground in Luswiga Zone, Nantamu Ward, Bulanga Town Council on May 7, 2025.
This happened hours after six supporters of NRM were detained in Mayuge District, Eastern Uganda, following the murder of Kaluya .
In Kabale, it’s alleged that on May 6, 2025, at around 12 pm on Tuesday , Silvano Bikorwomuhangi went and participated in the NRM election exercise, and he voted for one Wilber Turyazayo who was contesting with Henry Tumwijukye for the post of LC I Chairman. Turyazayo won the election. The party members lined up to choose their preferred candidates across the 72,000 NRM-gazetted polling centres countrywide.
According to Mr Elly Maate ,the police spokesman for Kigezi sub-region, their investigations reveal that Silvano Bikorwomuhangi, went with other voters to Musamba trading centre for celebrations but never returned home.
“On Wednesday at around 7 pm, his body was found lying along the footpath to his second wife’s home by the locals who informed the area leaders and the matter was reported to Rubaya police station,” Mr Maate said.
Mr Nelson Atukwase , the chairperson of Rubaya Sub County has called for thorough investigations since the deceased was a relative of the loser of the election, whom he refused to vote for.
“The deceased refused to vote for his uncle Tumwijukye and supported his opponent Turyazayo, who was later declared the winner of the Bugo LC1 seat flag bearer. We suspect the deceased was murdered because of supporting a candidate of his choice regardless of blood relationship,” Mr Atukwase said.
Mr Atukwase proposed that the method of electing party lower leaders should be changed from the current one of lining up behind the candidates to secret ballot boxes to avoid promoting hatred, revenge, animosity and other criminal acts against the aggrieved individuals. NRM primaries have a history of violence and every time they are conducted tempers flare and security agencies deploy heavily to avert blood shed .
The recent events surrounding the NRM village elections are deeply concerning. It’s troubling to see such violence and chaos during what should be a democratic process. The arrest of nine people is a step, but will it be enough to address the root causes of these conflicts? The loss of lives is heartbreaking and raises questions about the safety of voters and candidates. How can the public trust the electoral process when such incidents occur? Do you think the NRM is doing enough to ensure peace and fairness in these elections? I believe more transparency and accountability are needed to prevent future tragedies. What measures would you suggest to restore faith in the system?