JINJA Two people have been shot by police in Jinja District as they dispersed supporters of rival political camps who had clashed in Butembe Constituency.
The Tuesday morning clash in Itakaiboru village in Busedde Sub-county involved supporters of the ruling National Resistance (NRM) flag bearer for Butembe parliamentary seat, Mr Jacob Kabondo and those of the independent candidate, Mr Shaban Okumu.
Jinja Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Mr Samuel Kawuta, identified the victims of the shooting as Asuman Balikowa and Musa Mukama.
He added that Balikowa was shot in the leg and Mukama was hit in the chest with what he described as stray bullets. The two are admitted to the hospital.
He revealed that he ordered police to intervene when he was informed that a fierce fight had erupted between supporters of the two rival candidates.
“I am the one who sent police to the scene to quell the fight that resulted in the shooting of these people, but I call upon everyone to remain peaceful because the campaigns will end and we will still need each other,” Mr Kawuta said.
He explained that the fight started when supporters of Mr Okumu allegedly dismantled makeshift shelters of Mr Kabondo’s supporters.
Mr Balikowa told the press that he was shot in the thigh as he tried to run away when police started firing in the air.
“My thigh was shattered by bullets which hit me during the scuffle when violence erupted,’’ he said.
Mr Kabondo advised his opponent to remain peaceful as he campaigns because voting is by a secret ballot.
He said he was dismayed at the continued violence against his supporters.
This comes two weeks after 33-year-old Meshach Okello, a Human Resource Management graduate and businessman, was shot dead on November 28 as National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, left Iganga, where he had just finished addressing a campaign rally at the Railway Grounds in Iganga Municipality.