Police have arrested three individuals to aid in investigations into the death of a National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporter who was killed shortly after participating in the party’s local elections for grassroots leadership and LC1 flag bearer on Tuesday.
Kigezi region police spokesperson, Mr. Elly Maate, identified the victim as Silvano Bikorwomuhangi, a resident of Bugo Village in Musamba Parish, Rubaya Sub-county, Kabale District.
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Reports indicate that on May 6, 2025, at around midday, Bikorwomuhangi cast his vote for Wilber Turyazayo, who was contesting against Henry Tumwijukye for the position of LC1 Chairman. Turyazayo won the election. Later, Bikorwomuhangi joined other supporters at Musamba Trading Centre to celebrate but failed to return home. His body was discovered the following evening, around 7 p.m., on a footpath near his second wife’s residence. Locals alerted community leaders, and police were notified.
Police processed the crime scene, recorded statements from witnesses, and handed the body over to the family for burial. Mr. Maate urged the public to share any relevant information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits, emphasizing that investigations are ongoing.
Rubaya LCIII Chairperson Mr. Nelson Atukwase called for a comprehensive investigation, noting that the deceased was related to the losing candidate, Tumwijukye, but chose to support his opponent.
“We suspect he was killed for exercising his right to choose a candidate, despite family ties,” said Atukwase. He also called for electoral reforms, recommending a shift from the current open-line voting system to secret ballots to reduce conflict, hostility, and post-election violence.
Bikorwomuhangi is now the third reported NRM supporter killed in election-related violence. In a separate incident, a police detective in Luuka District was arrested after allegedly shooting dead a voter and injuring two others during the polls.
Busoga North Regional Police spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha confirmed that Detective Corporal Denis Emojong fatally shot 30-year-old Swaliki Lwayanga and injured Ivan Oketch and Nabugo Peterson on May 7 at Noor Islamic Primary Teachers College playground in Bulanga Town Council.
Earlier on the same day, six NRM supporters were arrested in Mayuge District following the fatal beating of fellow supporter Peter Kaluya in Bulubude Village, Malongo Sub-county, after the announcement of poll results.
These incidents reflect rising tensions and violence surrounding the NRM’s internal elections across various regions.
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