Grief Engulfs Buwenge as Families Bury Two Men Killed During LC1 Elections

What the report says

Nile Post reports that Buwenge Town Council in Jinja District was in mourning on Friday as residents buried Latib Ikaali, 26, and Fred Kalulu, 19, also known as “Shadow,” who were killed during recent Local Council One elections in Kabi Zone. The outlet says the two men were allegedly shot by a police officer attached to Buwenge Police Station during voting for a village chairperson.

According to the report, a witness, Hudafati Muganza, said the victims reached the polling area while voting was still taking place and gunfire was heard shortly afterward. Mourners and local leaders used the burial to demand accountability, while some residents made unproven claims that a candidate had worked with security personnel. Nile Post noted that police had not yet released a detailed public account of the shooting by the time the article was published.

Political leaders at the funeral linked the deaths to broader concerns about election security in Buwenge. Kamuli Outgrowers Association chairperson Peterson Mubiru called for an investigation and questioned the use of live ammunition during electoral exercises. Jinja District Woman MP Peace Tibyaze urged a review of the LC1 voting system, including reconsideration of the lining-up method in favour of secret ballots, arguing that the current approach can inflame tensions.

Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda condemned the killings, directed that implicated people be arrested and prosecuted, and announced government support of Shs10 million for each bereaved family, alongside Shs5 million per family from the Inspector General of Police. She later visited Buwenge Police Station for updates on the implicated officers, arrested residents and confiscated property. The case matters because it has renewed scrutiny of policing and electoral procedures in village-level polls.