Bloodshed! NRM Primaries Turn Deadly As MP Aspirant’s Husband Is Gunned Down In Kamuli

By Our Reporter

Tensions are running high in Kamuli District following a deadly shooting incident on Wednesday night, just hours before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries. Sowedi Egumbye, husband to Kamuli Woman MP aspirant Sarah Auma, was shot and killed by police during a violent confrontation that has since triggered public outrage and questions over the integrity and safety of Uganda’s internal electoral processes.

According to Busoga North Police, the incident occurred around 11:00 PM when a group allegedly linked to Auma’s campaign team stormed the home of Buzaaya County MP Martin Muzaale. Police say the group, travelling in a convoy, forcibly rammed through Muzaale’s gate using one of their vehicles and entered the premises wielding pangas and hammers.

“They used a car to crash the gate of Honourable Muzaale’s home,” said ASP Michael Kasadha, the regional police spokesperson. “They injured people and caused chaos. These weapons—pangas and hammers—were recovered from the scene.”

An emergency call prompted police deployment to the scene, but as officers arrived, the group reportedly attempted to flee. In the ensuing chaos, police opened fire in an attempt to disable the vehicle’s tyres. Egumbye was fatally shot during the exchange.

“It’s unfortunate that Sowedi was hit and later died,” Kasadha confirmed. “We regret the loss. No one should die because of elections, but people must respect the law.”

Egumbye’s body was transferred to Kamuli General Hospital for a post-mortem examination as investigations into the incident were launched. Authorities say the clash occurred well after the official campaign period had ended and suspect the group’s actions were part of a broader scheme to influence the primaries through voter importation and intimidation.

Kasadha further revealed that several individuals arrested at the scene were not registered voters in Kamuli, fueling allegations of electoral malpractice.

“There’s credible evidence that some candidates are ferrying in people to vote where they’re not registered. That’s a serious electoral crime,” he said.

The incident comes at a deeply personal cost for aspirant Sarah Auma, who has yet to issue a public statement. Earlier this month, Auma was involved in a separate road accident along the Kamuli–Jinja highway, which left her hospitalized for several days.

The fatal shooting has cast a dark shadow over this year’s NRM primaries and sparked renewed concerns about political violence, abuse of state security forces, and the credibility of Uganda’s electoral processes, particularly in rural constituencies like Kamuli.

To further complicate the narrative, unverified reports have emerged regarding Egumbye’s alleged criminal past. Residents of Buwagi, where he lived, claim he had previously evaded police arrest and was suspected of operating a “fake dollar” syndicate in the region. Some believe his killing may have been motivated by factors beyond politics.

“He’s been on police radar for years,” said one local resident who requested anonymity. “Some people think the police used the election chaos as cover to take him out.”

In response to the shooting, security has been ramped up across Kamuli and other districts participating in the NRM primaries. Authorities have warned candidates and their supporters against violence and any form of electoral misconduct.

“Those who disrupt the peace will be arrested and held until the election process is over,” Kasadha warned.

As Kamuli mourns and tensions simmer, the tragic death of Sowedi Egumbye has become a symbol of the growing fragility of Uganda’s internal democratic practices—raising pressing questions about accountability, rule of law, and the role of security forces in safeguarding, rather than undermining, the electoral process.