Tension and fear have resurfaced in Lwemiyaga County, Sembabule District, following renewed campaign clashes between supporters of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Theodore Ssekikubo, and his political rival, retired Brigadier General Emmanuel Rwashande.
On Thursday evening, supporters of the two candidates engaged in running battles and physical confrontations after converging at Lwensankala Trading Centre in Lwemiyaga Sub-county, where both camps were scheduled to hold campaign meetings.
The scuffle reportedly broke out after supporters from the rival camps met along the same route, triggering violent exchanges and stone pelting. At least three people sustained serious injuries after being struck by flying stones and clubs.
Ssekikubo alleges that Rwashande and his agents deliberately mobilised supporters to invade the venue of his planned campaign rally at Makululu Muslim Primary School playground, with the intention of attacking his team and disrupting the meeting. He accuses his opponent of organising gangs of vigilantes who, he claims, routinely target his campaign activities and unleash violence against his supporters.
According to Ssekikubo, the conflict between him and Rwashande dates back to mid-last year, stemming from a fierce contest for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ticket for the Lwemiyaga parliamentary seat, an election that Rwashande ultimately won.
Now seeking re-election as an independent candidate, Ssekikubo accuses Rwashande of exploiting his military background to influence local security forces, alleging that they back up violent gangs used to suppress communities perceived to support him.
He claims several of his supporters were assaulted by Rwashande’s agents, who were allegedly escorted by soldiers who threatened to shoot at them when they attempted to retaliate.
Ssekikubo also raises concern over the heavy military presence in the area, which he says is meant to instil fear among voters and serve the political interests of Brigadier Rwashande.
One of the victims of the violence, Hannah Komukazi, says she was attacked by a group of youths who warned her against attending Ssekikubo’s campaign rally. She narrates that the area is currently gripped by fear, created by gangs deployed during the campaigns. According to her, besides physically assaulting their victims, the gangs also rob them of their valuables.
However, retired Brigadier Emmanuel Rwashande, the NRM flag bearer for the Lwemiyaga parliamentary seat, denies any involvement in campaign violence. He instead blames the clashes on Ssekikubo, whom he accuses of deliberately provoking his supporters and security operatives in a bid to gain public sympathy.
Rwashande argues that following his loss of a court petition challenging his candidature, Ssekikubo has resorted to confrontational tactics aimed at attracting political capital.
Meanwhile, Twaha Kasirye, the Greater Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson, says police are closely monitoring the situation in Lwemiyaga to ensure peace throughout the election period. He confirms that investigations into Thursday’s incidents are underway, noting that the findings will be used both to prosecute those responsible and to prevent similar occurrences.
Other contenders in the race, Asaph Tumwebaze of the Democratic Front and independent candidate Joseph Migadde Amooti, say the violence is frustrating their campaigns, as voters remain gripped by fear.
Notably, in July last year, during the NRM party primary campaigns in Lwemiyaga Constituency, one person, Fred Ssembuusi, was shot dead, while several others sustained injuries as the army intervened to quell violent clashes between supporters of Ssekikubo and Rwashande.
