NAKASEKE, UGANDA: There was uncontrolled chaos on Monday after fight ensued between the opposition and NRM supporters at the funeral of Jakana Nadduli, the son of Abdul Nadduli in Nakaseke district.
The clash that left several people injured happened at Kadunda village in Kapeeka sub-county shortly before Jakana was buried.
Trouble started after the opposition National Unity Party (NUP) party supporters stormed the funeral armed with placards containing photos and names of missing persons in protest against the ongoing abduction of their colleagues.
The NUP supporters were infuriated by a statement made by Mr Henry Ssebunya, the Kiryandongo deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), who called for calm as he cautioned mourners not to turn the burial ceremony into a campaign platform.
This followed a telephone message from the NUP party president, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.
In the message, Mr Kyagulanyi said Ugandans were paying the price of political intolerance that the government and the NRM political schemers are currently executing in total disregard for the rights of Ugandans.
“This is the price that many Ugandans are paying to get freedom. It is unfortunate that our people should die because the dictators have no room for freedom of expression,” Mr Kyagulanyi said in one of the many statements delivered to the mourners by telephone.
In due course, a section of NRM supporters led by a youth-only identified as Majambere joined the RDC and started roughing up the NUP supporters forcing other mourners to flee into banana and coffee plans to avoid the chaos.
Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa, the Kadhi of Luwero district took over the microphone but he couldn’t proceed because of the tension prompting Nakaseke district police commander, Ben Nuwamanya and his team to take over the funeral as police deployed strategically along the road to restore calm.
The late Jakana’s father, Abdul Nadduli lost his phone in the fracas and was evacuated by his bodyguards for his own safety.
President Museveni, in his condolence message to the family, said he was shocked to learn of the sudden death of Jakana and condoled with the family.
Mr Museveni also cautioned Ugandans against reckless talk on particular matters without seeking the truth.
“Our fighters should be careful and not fall prey to the reckless talks regarding matters that have been investigated and facts available,” he said in a message read for him by State Minister for Kampala Mr Kabuye Kyofatogabye.
Mr Kyofatogabye delivered Shs10m to the family from President Museveni to assist with the funeral arrangements.
About Jakana Nadduli
Jakana Nadduli, 37, a strong critic of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party breathed his last around 1:30 am today while being rushed to a clinic in Wobulenzi town.
Mr Swaibu Gwojolonga, on behalf of the family of Mr Nadduli, said at about 11pm on Sunday, they got information that Jakana’s health was deteriorating at his residence in Kampala and they quickly responded by having him taken to hospital.
“We transported Jakana from Kampala to Wobulenzi Orient Medical Centre where he died shortly after arrival. His health has not been good for some time. We thank everybody that has supported the family and our son in his lifetime,” Mr Gwojolonga told the mourners.
His death comes a few weeks after his release from remand in prison. Jakana was locked up for allegedly promoting sectarianism against the Banyakole and Banyakole on social media, a claim he dismissed.
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