A supporter of former Urban Development Minister Isaac Musumba was fatally shot during a violent clash tied to the NRM primaries in Kamuli District. The incident adds to the growing concerns surrounding NRM primaries violence Uganda as the 2026 elections draw near.
Sowed Egumya, who backed Musumba’s bid for the NRM flag in Buzaya County, died around 2am on Thursday. The confrontation occurred near Kasambira Town Council, where tensions between rival camps had escalated.
Busoga North Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha explained that Egumya and other supporters allegedly tried to storm the home of incumbent MP Martine Muzaale. Officers intercepted their vehicle, which, according to police, contained machetes linked to an earlier attack.
“When the group attempted to flee, police fired at the tyres. A bullet struck Egumya during the commotion,” Kasadha stated. He added that the earlier assault had already triggered a high alert in the area.
However, witness Bosco Isabirye, who was in the same vehicle, offered a different account. He told Daily Monitor that the shooting happened in Buwagi Village, Nawanyago Town Council. “After leaving Egumya’s home, a vehicle with soldiers blocked us near a swamp. They opened fire immediately, and Egumya was the first to be hit,” he said. He also mentioned that another passenger sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, MP Muzaale accused Egumya’s group of ramming his gate and kidnapping one of his supporters. He urged security agencies to take action and prevent further clashes during the primaries.
In a separate incident in nearby Mayuge District, a UPDF soldier sustained serious injuries after being struck on the head with a stone. The soldier had been patrolling Kigandalo Sub-county when a group of youths attacked from a sugarcane plantation.
Eng Maton Mukisa, the LC3 chairperson who accompanied the patrol, described the scene. “The soldiers did not fire back. The attackers ran into the fields,” he noted. Authorities had not disclosed the soldier’s medical status by press time.
These incidents reflect the rising tide of NRM primaries violence Uganda. Political rivalries in rural districts continue to spark clashes, despite calls for restraint from leaders and electoral bodies.
According to a Monitor tally, more than seven people have died in campaign-related violence across the country in the run-up to Thursday’s vote. In response, security forces have boosted patrols in vulnerable areas.
The stakes are high. Thursday’s primaries will determine the NRM’s flagbearers for the 2026 general elections. In competitive regions like Kamuli and Mayuge, candidates are under pressure, which often fuels tensions.
Security officials have urged all candidates to discourage violence among their supporters. Furthermore, local leaders have appealed to communities to respect democratic processes and avoid provocation.
The Electoral Commission pledged to investigate all violent incidents thoroughly. Officials emphasized that individuals responsible for inciting or participating in NRM primaries violence Uganda would face legal consequences.
With the country inching closer to the general elections, civic groups warn that unchecked violence could derail democratic progress. They are now calling for transparency, accountability, and peaceful engagement across all political lines.
Read: Violence Erupts During NRM Primaries in Eastern Uganda
