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It was a night filled with fear and confusion for the people in Butambala County after Uganda’s recent general elections. What was supposed to be a peaceful wait for results turned into tragedy for the campaign team of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Muwanga Kivumbi.
Butambala County MP hopeful Muwanga Kivumbi has made shocking claims about how members of his campaign team were killed inside his home. He says the security forces stormed the house in the dead of night while votes were still being counted.
According to Kivumbi, the incident happened as vote tallying was ongoing at the district tally centre. He said everything was calm until the officers arrived at his residence without warning, looking for him.
Kivumbi explained that he was not present when the raid happened, but many people who were nearby were caught in the chaos. Some ran for safety, while others were unable to escape.
He claims that several of his campaign team members were shot and killed inside his house. “They were killed inside my house,” he said, troubled by the loss and deeply emotional as he spoke.
Kivumbi added that those who died were not on the road or outside in an open space. They were inside the compound, going about their business, and were not a threat to anyone.
A video recorded the next morning reportedly shows several bullet holes in the doors and walls of the house. The damage pointed to a violent confrontation, and neighbors say they were shocked by the level of force used.
“I was the target,” Kivumbi insisted. He also said that some people had to flee in the middle of the night to save their lives. Many were left shaken and confused by the sudden burst of gunfire.
The MP hopeful lost the parliamentary race to journalist Eriasa Mukiibi, a result that has been bitterly contested in some political circles. The election was tense, and supporters on both sides were on edge.
However, the police have given a very different version of what happened. According to the Katonga Region Police Spokesperson, Lydia Tumushabe, the violence was not a targeted attack on Kivumbi or his team.
Police say a group of NUP supporters caused chaos earlier in the day. They accuse the group of attacking a tally centre and even a police station, escalating tensions in the area.
Authorities claim that seven people were shot dead in the unrest that followed. Police maintain that their officers acted in self‑defense after being attacked by the group.
The conflicting stories have left the public unsure of what really happened. On one hand, Kivumbi and his supporters speak of targeted violence and loss of innocent lives. On the other, police say the deaths occurred during a violent uprising.
Local residents described hearing loud gunshots late into the night. Some said they were too scared to leave their homes, unsure who was firing and why.
Family members of the victims are grieving, struggling to come to terms with their sudden loss. Many are now calling for justice and answers about how their loved ones died.
Community leaders have appealed for calm and peace. They urged supporters of all parties not to engage in further violence and to allow investigations to take place.
Human rights groups have also expressed concern over the incident. They are demanding an independent inquiry into the killings to determine exactly what happened and who should be held responsible.
Meanwhile, Kivumbi continues to push his account of events, insisting that his team members were innocent and did not pose a threat when they were shot inside his home.
The government has promised to look into the matter, but it is not yet clear how the investigation will be conducted and whether the findings will satisfy everyone involved.
As Butambala tries to heal, many are left with uneasy questions about political violence, security force conduct, and the future of peaceful elections in Uganda. For now, families mourn, and the community searches for truth in the midst of tragedy.
