Mbale, Uganda: A family land dispute in Wanale Sub-County turned tragic, resulting in the death of Nabende Moses, a known supporter of Magolo John Faith, in an incident authorities and community leaders insist is not politically motivated, despite attempts to frame it as such.
Preliminary accounts indicate that the fatal incident stemmed from a heated family confrontation over land ownership, involving the deceased’s father and his sons, some of whom are supporters of Hon. Magolo.
During the altercation, one son allegedly attempted to attack his brother with a panga, but instead struck their father, an act that fatally injured Nabende Moses amid the chaos.
Local leaders say the tragedy has been mischaracterised as political violence, yet evidence points to a purely domestic conflict that escalated beyond control.
Although individuals involved belong to rival political camps linked to Wanyenya Shafiga and Hon. Magolo, community elders stress that the clash was rooted in long-standing family tensions, not partisan rivalry.
Political Tensions After the Tragedy
In the aftermath, Hon. Wanyega Shafiga, the NRM flag bearer for the Bungokho North parliamentary seat, has reportedly faced allegations and political pressure from individuals aligned to Hon. Magolo’s camp, accused of attempting to leverage the tragedy for political blackmail ahead of the 2026 electoral season.
Sources close to the matter say the accusations risk inflaming emotions in a community already grappling with grief, diverting attention from accountability and reconciliation.
Community leaders have appealed for restraint, warning against politicising a tragedy that has left a family shattered and a village traumatised.
Reports indicate that 23 supporters of Hon. Magolo sustained injuries during the unrest and are currently receiving treatment at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and Mbale General Hospital. Security agencies have since restored calm in the area as investigations continue.
Calls for Leadership and Restraint
As preparations get underway for Nabende Moses’ burial, scheduled for 2:00 pm tomorrow in Wanale, elders and opinion leaders are urging political figures to lower tensions and discourage retaliatory actions.
Hon. Magolo has been called upon to publicly clarify his position and urge his supporters to refrain from violence, while leaders across the divide are being asked to prioritise peace, dialogue and the rule of law.
Residents say the incident highlights the danger of unresolved land disputes, which remain a persistent trigger of violence in many rural communities, and the ease with which personal conflicts can be wrongly drawn into political narratives.
As Wanale mourns, the tragedy stands as a stark reminder that family disputes require mediation and restraint, and that political ambitions must never override the need for justice, unity and community healing.
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