Kamuli, Uganda: Tension has engulfed NRM Primaries in Kamuli District after Sowedi Egumbye, husband to Kamuli Woman MP aspirant Sarah Auma, was shot dead by police on Wednesday night following a violent raid on the home of Buzaaya County MP Martin Muzaale.
Police confirmed the fatal incident, which occurred around 11 pm when Egumbye, reportedly part of a group aligned to Auma’s campaign, forcefully entered MP Muzaale’s residence using a vehicle to ram through the main gate.
Busoga North Police spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha confirmed Egumbye was shot as police responded to an emergency call about the break-in.
“They used one of the cars to knock down the gate of Honourable Muzaale’s residence to gain entry,” Kasadha told Baba FM on Thursday. “They injured people because they had weapons like pangas and hammers. These are some of the items we recovered from the scene.”
According to police, the group attempted to flee when officers arrived. During the pursuit, police fired shots to immobilize their vehicle, leading to Egumbye being fatally shot.
“In the process of stopping them, bullets were fired to deflate the tyres of their vehicle. In that melee, Sowedi was shot and later died,” Kasadha said. “It is unfortunate. We wouldn’t want to lose anybody because of elections, but people must follow the rules.”
The deceased’s body was taken to Kamuli General Hospital for a post-mortem examination as investigations continue.
Police believe the attack was politically motivated and linked to ongoing tensions in the NRM primaries, with allegations of violence, voter importation, and intimidation tactics already dogging the process.
Kasadha noted that several individuals arrested at the scene were not residents of Kamuli. “We are receiving reports that candidates have been ferrying people from outside areas to influence results where they don’t vote. This is a serious electoral offence,” he said.
At press time, Sarah Auma, Egumbye’s widow and a Woman MP contender, had not issued any public statement on the incident. Earlier this month, she was involved in a separate road accident on the Kamuli–Jinja highway, from which she was still recovering.
This latest fatality underscores growing concerns about the escalating violence surrounding NRM’s internal elections, especially in rural areas where security enforcement is often politicized.
Community reports further complicate the narrative. Residents from Buwagi, where Egumbye lived, allege he had been on police’s radar for years, suspected of leading a fake dollar gang and evading multiple arrests.
“Sowedi has been on the police wanted list for a long time,” said a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity. “There’s a belief in the community that this killing may have had less to do with politics and more with unfinished business.”
Efforts to get clarification from ASP Kasadha on these claims were unsuccessful by press time, as he did not respond to repeated calls and messages.
Meanwhile, security agencies in Kamuli and across the country remain on heightened alert ahead of today’s party primaries, warning of strict action against lawbreakers.
“Those who will prove not to be peaceful will be arrested and held until after the elections,” Kasadha warned.
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