What was meant to be a hopeful and energetic campaign launch for Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo ended in bloodshed on Thursday, when a violent confrontation between armed personnel and supporters left one man dead and the MP injured.
The incident unfolded in Kireega Village, Lwemiyaga Sub-county, where Ssekikubo had gathered with hundreds of enthusiastic supporters to kick off his bid to retain the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag. But the rally turned tragic when a group of soldiers arrived and demanded that the crowd disperse.
Fred Ssembuusi, a resident of Ntyazo Village and father of three, was among those standing near the front—cheering, hopeful, and showing his support. Moments later, he lay lifeless on the ground, a bullet wound in his chest.
Eyewitnesses describe a sudden escalation. A military truck arrived with heavily armed personnel who reportedly ordered everyone to vacate the venue. Supporters, shocked and angered, protested loudly. The tension boiled over into chaos.
“They just showed up, armed, shouting at us to leave,” said Joram Tumwesigye, who witnessed the events unfold. “People shouted back, refusing to be pushed around. Then the shooting started. It was terrifying.”
Ssekikubo, trying to calm the situation, was caught in the middle. He was shot in the hand during the scuffle and had to be helped away by supporters.
“Fred was right next to the MP. He never saw it coming,” Tumwesigye added, visibly shaken. “One minute we were chanting, the next we were running for our lives.”
Geoffrey Bwajojo, another supporter, says this wasn’t the first sign of trouble. He believes the soldiers had been tracking their group all day.
“They tried to stop us earlier in Bugologolo, but we kept going,” he said. “They followed us and waited until we were gathered to cause this. After the shooting, they just drove off.”
MP Ssekikubo has openly accused his rival in the NRM primaries, Retired Brigadier General Emmanuel Rwashande, of orchestrating the attack.
“This wasn’t just an accident. It was planned intimidation,” he said. “My supporters are being harassed and now someone has lost his life.”
Rwashande has remained silent on the matter, declining to comment on the allegations.
Local leaders have called for calm. Jane Francis Kagaayi, the Sembabule Resident District Commissioner, confirmed that investigations are underway and promised a detailed report soon. She urged candidates to lead by example and promote peace during the campaign season.
Meanwhile, in Ntyazo Village, a family is mourning the loss of a father and friend. Fred Ssembuusi had gone to show his support for a candidate he believed in. He never made it home.
As the political temperature in Lwemiyaga rises, so too does the cost of violence — paid, this time, with the life of an innocent man and the shattering of what should have been a democratic celebration.
