President Museveni morns with the 2 families whose relatives Killed During LC1 Elections

The Minister for the Presidency and MP Budiope West, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, yesterday and today represented His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the burial of two residents who were shot dead during violence that marred the Local Council One – LC1 elections in Buwenge Town Council, Jinja District.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 28, at the Buwenge Progressive Academy polling station in Kabi Zone, when clashes broke out and security officers opened fire.

The deceased  identified as Fred Kalulu, 19, a resident of Market Zone in Buwenge Town Council, who died at the scene, and Latibu Ikaali, 23, who later succumbed to gunshot injuries at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.

Speaking to mourners and the community, Minister Babalanda conveyed the President’s condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Buwenge.

“The President is saddened by this loss of life. Government will ensure that investigations are conducted and that those responsible are held accountable according to the law,” she said.

Minister Babalanda condemned acts of violence during elections and urged residents to embrace peace and use established dispute resolution mechanisms.

She assured the residents of Buwenge to take disciplinary actions against the area Resident District Commissioners who failed to handle the situation that caused deaths.

“RDCs are the heads of security in the districts, how can you just look at such a situation and fail to handle. This term, we shall not tolerate officers who are sleeping on job and immidiate action will be taken,” she said

“Elections are about choosing leaders, not about shedding blood. As RDCs and security agencies, they must ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” she stated.

She further tasked the Resident District Commissioners, Police, and other security agencies in Jinja to strengthen supervision whenever electoral processes are on and to protect voters, candidates, and polling officials.

The Minister also directed area leaders and security agencies to mobilize the community for peace sensitization.

Each family was supported with 10 million shillings from His Excellency the President and 5 million shillings from the Inspector General of Police.

She commiserated with the families of the deceased during this difficult time and apologised on behalf of the government for such an incident that cause deaths for their loved ones.

Religious and Area leaders, who attended the burial called for calm and urged youths not to be used to cause chaos during elections.

The LC1 elections across the country are part of government’s decentralization process aimed at strengthening governance and service delivery at the village level, the exercise is not intended to shed blood of the vulnerable residents.