Iganga, Uganda: One person was shot dead and several others injured on Friday after clashes erupted between security forces and supporters of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, who had concluded his rally at the Railway Grounds in Iganga Municipality.
Police identified the deceased as Meshach Okello, a timber trader from Mutukula, Iganga Northern Division. Three others, Nuwamanya Samuel (24), Naminya Banuli (44) and Faima Namusobya (24), are currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the confrontation.
Kyagulanyi, who had earlier held rallies in Jinja, wrapped up his day’s campaign in Iganga, where he reiterated promises of job creation for unemployed youth and the revival of railway transport. Trouble began after the rally when his convoy attempted to use a route that security had not cleared.
According to police, Kyagulanyi’s team was instructed to exit using the same approved route they used to access the grounds. As officers enforced this directive, altercations broke out with a section of supporters.
Witnesses told DailyExpress that some youths began pelting stones at security personnel, injuring officers and damaging police vehicles. Police later confirmed arrests of several suspects linked to the violence.
“Security forces deployed to maintain public order faced stone-throwing attacks incited by the candidate, resulting in serious injuries to officers and damage to vehicles,” the police statement reads.
Officers responded with teargas and live fire. Police acknowledged firing the fatal shot, saying the action occurred as they dispersed what they described as “unruly crowds”.
“During the operation, one civilian fatality occurred,” the statement said, identifying the deceased as Meshach (Minsaki) Okello.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as people ran for safety. “We were close to the deceased and only realised he had fallen after hearing the gunshots. It was confusion everywhere,” one supporter recounted.
Police have warned the public against confronting armed officers, saying such actions pose grave risks and will be met with a decisive response.
Meanwhile, in a statement on his X account, Kyagulanyi condemned the security operation, accusing officers of using excessive force and firing live rounds at unarmed supporters.
“So far, we have confirmed the murder in cold blood of Meshach Okello, who was shot through the head. (We’re told that the police smuggled two other bodies from the scene after shooting them, which information we’re still trying to verify),” Mr Kyagulanyi said.
The incident adds fresh tension to an already heated campaign season, with human-rights groups repeatedly calling for restraint in crowd control operations ahead of the 2026 polls.
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