The clashes erupted last Friday as rival groups headed to a campaign rally at Kyempisi Village, resulting in the burning of a vehicle and two motorcycles. On Saturday, Mr Reuben Ngurusi, 34, a resident of Kihande Village in Ruyanga Sub-county and a supporter of Mr Bakunda, was killed in what appears to have been a revenge attack. “They came looking for him on Friday night but did not find him.
The following morning, they encountered him on his way home and stoned him to death,” said Ms Mackline Kyomuhendo, the widow of Mr Ngurusi. “My husband died because of political violence for supporting Mr Bakunda. I am now left alone with three children and no support,” she added tearfully. Mr Eric Byamukama, a cousin of the deceased, alleged that Mr Ngurusi had been involved in an earlier ambush against Mr Mujuni’s supporters, which may have provoked the retaliation.
“He was returning home when a mob attacked him, leaving his body on the road. He had severe bruises all over,” Mr Byamukama said. “We later moved his body from Rwekubo Health Centre IV to Mbarara Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem,” he added. Mr Richard Twinomujuni, the vice chairperson of the village, said tensions in the area began in June when an unidentified person tied up and stabbed a resident known as Black. Another resident, Mr Monday Amon, was cut on the arm but is recovering. “Supporters of Maari do not want to see those of Bakunda and vice versa.
People are abandoning their homes due to political unrest. Previously, elections were peaceful here, but this time it’s different,” he said. Mr Twinomujuni appealed to residents to avoid “politics of hate and violence”, saying: “After elections, candidates will return to Kampala, but we will remain living together.” Ms Glorious Tukahirwa, a resident, urged authorities to suspend campaigns in Isingiro South. “They should halt these campaigns so we can have peace. Let us only participate on voting day rather than continue losing lives,” she said.
The NRM Electoral Commission yesterday said campaign activities in Isingiro South had been suspended following incidents of violence. Ruyanga Sub-county chairperson Mugisha Hakim also called for increased security. “People are fighting, burning houses, vehicles and motorcycles. This violence must not be tolerated,” he said. Mr Alex Byarugaba Bakunda condemned the attacks, blaming Mr John Baptist Maari, the father of his opponent, for allegedly bringing in “goons from Kampala to train local youths to cause havoc”.
“This is not the NRM philosophy. We should treat each other as brothers and sisters. For the past four terms in Parliament, we have never had such violence. Why is it happening now, and only in Ruyanga Parish, where Mr Maari comes from? The other 27 parishes remain peaceful,” he said.
Mr Bakunda claimed arrests had been made, but the “chief instigator” remained at large, warning of possible further unrest. Rwizi region police spokesperson Samson Kasasira confirmed Mr Ngurusi’s death.
“He was beaten, taken to hospital, and later died. So far, we have arrested 10 suspects. He was meant to be the 11th but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries,” he said. While police acknowledge only Mr Ngurusi’s death, residents allege a second victim, Mr Collins Arimpa of Kyehuna II Village, also died from injuries sustained during Friday’s clashes.
