The parliamentary race in Bukomansimbi South has taken a violent turn after clashes between supporters of rival candidates left several people injured and at least one person admitted to hospital.
The confrontation erupted at Buwenda Village in Butenga Sub-county when supporters of NRM flagbearer Bashir Ssemakula confronted those of independent candidate Hassan Mukiibi Sserunjoji over the removal and replacement of campaign posters.
What began as an argument quickly escalated into a fight involving sticks, sharp objects and stones.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
One of the victims, Ssalongo Farid Mulindwa, was admitted to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital with a deep head injury.
He said he was struck with an axe while trying to prevent youths from tearing down Ssemakula's posters and replacing them with Sserunjoji's flyers.
His wife, Aisha Tumushabe, said their home was later vandalised by the same group of attackers who beat her husband.
But Sserunjoji's camp insists they were the ones provoked. Muhammad Ssekamatte, who also sustained head injuries, said he was attacked while trying to stop people from being forced into a drone vehicle.
He accused a bodyguard identified as Kisaawa of hitting him with a brush-wire.
"They were picking people, and when I told them not to take innocent people, he said I don't support them. That's when I was hit on the head, but he later apologised," Ssekamatte said.
Local leaders corroborated the reports of chaos. Rajab Wamala, the Defence Secretary of Buwenda Village, said tensions intensified after a man believed to be a Ssemakula supporter climbed a tree known locally as "Ekiyitirirwa" armed with a panga and an axe, allegedly waiting to attack anyone who attempted to remove Ssemakula's posters.
Residents say the violence is unprecedented in Bukomansimbi South, a constituency previously known for peaceful campaigns.
They accuse candidates of recruiting gangs of youths who intimidate and assault people who have not publicly declared their political allegiance.
Independent candidate Sserunjoji declined to directly address the allegations raised by Ssemakula's supporters but urged all sides to focus on mobilising voters rather than provoking clashes.
Some of the injured were reportedly detained at Bukomansimbi Police Station, prompting community demands for the Electoral Commission to disqualify candidates whose supporters engage in violence.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
District Police Commander Francis Aggrey Kyesimira condemned the clashes and vowed to arrest all those involved.
He warned that persistent violence could force security agencies and the Electoral Commission to remove candidates from the race.
"We will not allow gangs to destabilise Bukomansimbi. If candidates cannot control their supporters, they risk disqualification," Kyesimira said.
The Electoral Commission has not yet issued an official statement, but residents are calling for immediate intervention as tensions continue to rise ahead of the 2026 general elections.
