By Spy Uganda
Two people have been confirmed dead following a violent political confrontation between supporters of rival NRM parliamentary aspirants in Isingiro South Constituency, sparking national concern and prompting an emergency suspension of all campaign activities in the area.
The bloody clashes erupted on Friday, July 4, during parallel campaign rallies for Alex Byarugaba Bakunda—the incumbent MP—and his rival Maari Assensio Mujuni, both eyeing the NRM flag in the upcoming elections. What began as verbal altercations quickly escalated into stone-throwing and arson.
According to eyewitnesses, the chaos culminated in the torching of a vehicle and two motorcycles. The situation spiraled further out of control on Saturday morning, when a group of enraged locals allegedly carried out a revenge attack, brutally stoning Reuben Ngurusi to death. A second victim, Collins Arimpa, is reported to have succumbed to injuries sustained during the violence.
Security forces were deployed in large numbers, but the damage had already been done. The shocking incident drew immediate reaction from the NRM Electoral Commission, which has suspended all campaign-related activities in Isingiro South and summoned both candidates to party headquarters for urgent disciplinary proceedings.
“The loss of lives is unacceptable. We cannot allow our internal processes to be marred by bloodshed,” said Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission. “Both aspirants will be held accountable for the conduct of their supporters.”
Local leaders and human rights activists have condemned the violence, warning that Uganda’s already tense political climate could spiral into further unrest if urgent measures aren’t taken to de-escalate hostilities at grassroots level.
Residents in the area remain gripped with fear, and calls for justice are mounting. Police have confirmed that investigations are underway and arrests are expected in connection with the deaths.
This incident adds to a growing list of election-related violence incidents in Uganda, raising urgent questions about the conduct and safety of the ongoing NRM primaries.
