Lwemiyaga poll chaos flares up again despite peace efforts
Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Sekikubo (right) shake hands with Brig (Rtd) Rwashande after agreeing to end violence during the NRM elections on May 9, 2025. PHOTO/ISSA ALIGA
What you need to know:
- The political rivals had agreed on May 9, 2025 to restrain their supporters and ensure peaceful elections.
The fragile peace pact between retired army officer Brig Emmanuel Rwashande and Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo appears to have collapsed, as violence marred the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) village elections in Lwemiyaga Constituency at the weekend.
The two political rivals had agreed on May 9, during a meeting chaired by Sembabule Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Jane Frances Kagaayi, to restrain their supporters and ensure peaceful elections.
However, the opposite has unfolded on the ground. Despite nationwide NRM village elections being conducted on May 6, Lwemiyaga’s 133 villages have experienced repeated disruptions due to violent clashes between rival factions.
Brig Rwashande, who is seeking to unseat Mr Ssekikubo, is accused of deploying soldiers and arming his supporters with sticks to attack opponents. On May 9, chaos erupted at Kanoni Village in Ntuusi Town Council when NRM supporters began lining up behind candidate Vincent Mutebi before voter verification.
RDC Kagaayi, overseeing security, halted the process, prompting an attack from Mr Frank Nkunda, the chairperson of Kigabagaba Village, who grabbed her by the neck as a cheering crowd looked on. Nkunda’s group had already expelled supporters of rival candidate Lawrence Muwonge, who is backed by Mr Ssekikubo.
Tensions escalated as Brig Rwashande’s supporters insulted Mr Ssekikubo and demanded he leaves the polling station. In response, Mr Ssekikubo confronted Brig Rwashande, before the latter was shielded by his bodyguards. The acting Lwemiyaga Sub-county registrar, Mr Yosam Tayebwa, suspended the exercise.
According to Mr George William Katokozi, the NRM District Registrar, elections were to be repeated in affected villages. However, voting at Sagazi Village failed again on the weekend due to further clashes. “So far, 132 villages have voted, and only Sagazi LC1 remains. We plan to conduct fresh polls there,” MrKatokozi said.
In Kireega Village, Mr Fred Mujicwa’s supporters boycotted the vote, allowing Mr Nicolas Mujuni to win unopposed. Similarly, Mr Frank Tushemereirwe was declared village secretary after his rival, Mr George Akantwara, also pulled out.
Several supporters walked away in protest over missing names in the party register. Mr Ssekikubo accused Brig Rwashande of ferrying goons and using soldiers to intimidate voters. Brig Rwashande denied the claims.
Motivation
Both candidates are battling to win influence over NRM village structures ahead of the party’s July parliamentary primaries. Mr Ssekikubo currently holds the NRM flag for Lwemiyaga.
