Ntungamo Municipality MP, Yona Musinguzi Bikwasizehi, sustained head injuries on Thursday afternoon after a violent altercation broke out at All Saints Church polling station, where he had attempted to gain access despite resistance from rival supporters.
Arriving at the station around 2:05 p.m. with his entourage, Musinguzi was initially blocked from entering. In the absence of security forces, over 50 individuals forced their way into the polling area, where voters were preparing to line up. The scene quickly turned chaotic as supporters from opposing camps clashed using sticks and timber. Amid the fray, Musinguzi was struck on the head, knocked down, and beaten further as he struggled to stand.
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He was eventually evacuated in a multi-purpose pickup truck to receive medical attention. Other candidates, including Phillip Tumuhimbise, were present during the incident. Notably, tensions between Musinguzi’s camp and that of his rival, Mr. Ankwasa, had been escalating since Tuesday, leading to several injuries and arrests. Musinguzi had already cast his vote earlier at Nyakibigi village, while Ankwasa was scheduled to vote at the scene of the attack.
Elsewhere in Ntungamo Municipality, conflict persisted. At Ntungamo Modern Secondary School polling station, candidate Michael Katurebe had to confront Musinguzi’s supporters, who attempted to vote without appearing on the voter register. Police, overwhelmed by widespread unrest, withdrew from several polling stations across the area.
The incident highlights the intensifying political tensions surrounding the NRM party primaries in the region. By press time, NRM party officials and police had not issued official statements.
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