Sembabule District was once again rocked by political violence this week, after a campaign rally in Lwemiyaga County descended into chaos, leaving area MP Theodore Ssekikubo injured and one person dead
The unrest, blamed on factional tensions and alleged military interference, has reignited concerns over growing instability in the region ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The incident occurred Thursday evening at Kirega Trading Centre in Lwemiyaga Sub-county during a rally organized by MP Ssekikubo.
The gathering turned violent when clashes broke out between Ssekikubo’s supporters and those of his main challenger, retired Brigadier Emmanuel Rwashande, who is vying for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag.
According to eyewitnesses, tensions flared when Ssekikubo’s camp requested that Rwashande’s team lower loud music playing at the venue so the MP could address the crowd a request that was refused.
Shortly afterward, soldiers alleged to be part of Rwashande’s security detail reportedly ordered Ssekikubo’s supporters to leave. When they refused, the soldiers opened fire.
One man, identified only as Ssembusi, was shot dead on the spot. In the chaos that followed, a bullet struck MP Ssekikubo in the finger, while another supporter sustained a head injury.
Local police condemned the soldiers’ actions. Paul Kanganve, officer in charge of Lwemiyaga Police Station, described the use of force as excessive and avoidable.
“It is unfortunate an innocent life has been lost. It was really unnecessary for armed soldiers to use excessive force to calm down supporters of rival political camps,” Kanganve said.
Brigadier Rwashande’s candidacy has drawn backing from prominent figures, including retired Maj Gen Phenehas Katirima and Michael Toyota Nuwagira President Museveni’s younger brother and current chairperson of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
His campaign to unseat Ssekikubo has intensified divisions within the NRM, a party long plagued by violent primary contests in the region.
This latest incident echoes earlier unrest in Sembabule, including a notorious 2010 episode where Ssekikubo disrupted an election process by kicking over a basin of voting materials, alleging fraud. That confrontation also ended in a standoff with security forces.
Sembabule remains one of Uganda’s most politically volatile districts. Just last month, on May 23, the NRM was forced to suspend a primary election for the district chairperson post after violent clashes erupted between supporters of Minister Anifa Kawooya and Gen Katirima.
The Lwemiyaga race has drawn several other contenders, mostly NRM-affiliated, including former Minister Joy Kabatsi, John Patrick Kateeba, Edmond Bwire Nuwagaba, lawyer Geoffrey Tumusiime Ndengana, Migadde Juugu Amooti, and Kato Jacob Mwesigye.
