Ssekikubo rally violence rocked Lwemiyaga last evening after a political gathering turned deadly at Kirega Trading Centre. The incident left one person dead and two others, including Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo, injured. The violence started during a campaign event that Ssekikubo had convened.
Initially, the meeting appeared peaceful. However, tensions quickly escalated when Ssekikubo’s supporters asked rival camp members to reduce loud music so the MP could speak. Unfortunately, the opposing group refused. As a result, confusion spread through the crowd.
Within minutes, a group of soldiers emerged. They demanded Ssekikubo’s supporters leave the venue. When the crowd did not comply, the soldiers fired live bullets into the air and then at the crowd. Tragically, a bullet killed a man identified only as Ssembusi. Additionally, another bullet struck Ssekikubo in the finger, while a separate one hit a man in the head.
According to Paul Kanganve, head of Lwemiyaga Police Station, the shooting was unprovoked and excessive. He condemned the soldiers, stressing that the gathering was peaceful and did not warrant such brutality. In his words, “An innocent life was lost. The soldiers acted in an unacceptable manner.”
Eyewitnesses say the soldiers were part of the personal security detail for Brigadier (Rtd) Emmanuel Rwashande, Ssekikubo’s political rival. Notably, Rwashande is a retired senior army officer and has backing from powerful figures. Among them is Maj Gen (Rtd) Phenihas Katirima and Michael Nuwagira, known widely as Toyota. Toyota, President Museveni’s brother, currently chairs the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a key mobilization outfit.
As the race for Lwemiyaga MP heats up, more candidates have emerged. These include former Transport Minister Joy Kabatsi, financial analyst John Patrick Kateeba, and Edmond Bwire Nuwagaba, a logistics CEO. Others such as lawyer Geofrey Tumusiime Ndengana, Migadde Juugu Amooti, and Kato Jacob Mwesigye also joined the fray, mainly as NRM-leaning hopefuls. Additionally, Dr Asaph Tumwebaze is running as an Independent.
Despite numerous warnings from the NRM’s top electoral body, political violence continues to plague Sembabule. Just last month, a meeting to elect a district party chairperson ended in chaos. Clashes between supporters of Minister Anifa Kawooya and Gen Katirima forced officials to cancel the vote.
To address the growing unrest, NRM’s electoral commission chairperson Tanga Odoi urged members to stop engaging in violence. He pointed out that the repeated clashes not only harm the party’s reputation but also damage public trust in the process. Even so, rivalries like that between Ssekikubo and Rwashande remain tense and volatile.
In fact, Sembabule has a long history of violent primaries. Back in 2010, Ssekikubo made headlines when he destroyed voting materials during an NRM primary. He claimed election rigging was underway. Police intervened, and several people suffered injuries.
Clearly, Ssekikubo rally violence is not just about one tragic incident. Rather, it reflects broader issues in Uganda’s political environment—especially the militarization of campaigns and a lack of tolerance for opposing views. Without immediate intervention, such violence could worsen as the 2026 general election approaches.
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