Security Forces Claim Lives of 10 at Uganda Opposition Lawmaker’s Residence

Reports from Uganda indicate that security forces stormed the residence of an opposition lawmaker on Thursday during the election, leading to the deaths of ten members from his campaign team, as per statements made to AFP.

Muwanga Kivumbi, a prominent figure in the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Member of Parliament for Butambala, disclosed by phone on January 16 that "Ten were killed inside my house," expressing that he felt “emotionally shattered” by the event.

The elections were conducted with a nationwide internet blackout, as President Yoweri Museveni aimed to prolong his extensive tenure, amidst allegations from human rights organizations accusing him of “brutal repression” against supporters of the opposition.

Kivumbi described the shooting as occurring after a large number of his supporters gathered at his home following the conclusion of voting. Many attempted to flee when security forces arrived, but his wife, law professor Zahara Nampewo, recounted that officers shot through a garage door where ten of Kivumbi’s campaign aides were hiding.

In contrast, local police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe provided a conflicting narrative, alleging that “a group of NUP thugs” had intended to attack and set ablaze a tally center and police station. She claimed that “an unspecified number were dealt with” and confirmed the arrest of 25 individuals who have been charged with malicious damage to property.

Kivumbi and Nampewo stated that the security personnel removed the deceased from their home, yet they confirmed a death toll of ten at a nearby hospital to AFP.

Due to a nationwide internet outage imposed by the government during the voting, images from the scene could not be acquired.

Nampewo expressed her anxiety, stating, “Right now I’m anxious because they have redeployed around home again.” She added, “I was very shaken personally. Seeing fresh bodies, that is something that cannot easily go away.”

Both Kivumbi and Nampewo mentioned a significant security presence around their home in the days leading up to the election, noting that members of their campaign team had faced prior attacks.