News
Man dies after alleged assault during disputed Bududa LC1 election
The deceased, Michael Shiisa, a resident of Buwuma cell in Khama ward, Nangako town council, was reportedly attacked by a mob after attempting to separate people who were fighting during the election for the Khama town council cell LC1 chairperson
The deceased, Michael Shiisa. (Courtesy)
By: Andrew Nakhaboya, Journalist @New Vision
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A 58-year-old man has died after allegedly being assaulted during the Local Council One (LC1) elections held on July 28, 2026, in Bududa district.
The deceased, Michael Shiisa, a resident of Buwuma cell in Khama ward, Nangako town council, was reportedly attacked by a mob after attempting to separate people who were fighting during the election for the Khama town council cell LC1 chairperson.
According to reports, Shiisa was allegedly beaten by children of Laurence Kakala, one of the contestants in the election, after he intervened to stop the fight.
Shiisa sustained serious injuries and was initially taken to Bududa Hospital. He was later referred to Mbale People's Hospital, where he died on July 28, 2026.
An eyewitness, Ben Napoli, alleged that Kakala's children were violent during the incident. He claimed they refused to allow election officials to read out the names of voters from the register, a move that angered residents and sparked the confrontation.
Bududa resident district commissioner Juliet Salome Namara, who was also present at the scene, said the violence stemmed from disagreements over the voters' register.
According to her, residents claimed the register originally contained 81 eligible voters but had been increased to 110 names, raising suspicions that it had been inflated.
Eric Fungo, the Nangako town council registrar, said he was called by the RDC to guide residents on the voting process. However, he said the exercise stalled after residents demanded the removal of people they claimed were not residents of the cell.
An eyewitness, Ben Napoli, alleged that Kakala's children were violent during the incident. He claimed they refused to allow election officials to read out the names of voters from the register, a move that angered residents and sparked the confrontation.
Bududa resident district commissioner Juliet Salome Namara, who was also present at the scene, said the violence stemmed from disagreements over the voters' register.
According to her, residents claimed the register originally contained 81 eligible voters but had been increased to 110 names, raising suspicions that it had been inflated.
Eric Fungo, the Nangako town council registrar, said he was called by the RDC to guide residents on the voting process. However, he said the exercise stalled after residents demanded the removal of people they claimed were not residents of the cell.
The presiding officer for Khama cell, Perez Namukowa, said he suspected the voters' register had been prepared by more than one person because it contained three different handwriting styles. He said this observation further heightened concerns among residents.
Residents also alleged that the register had been compiled by one of Laurence Kakala's children, a claim that increased tensions and eventually led to the clashes in which Michael Shiisa was fatally injured.
By the time of filing this report, police had deployed officers to the residence of Laurence Kakala.
His children are alleged to have been involved in the assault that resulted in Shiisa's death. The family had reportedly fled the area for fear of retaliation from the deceased's relatives.
Police had not yet issued an official statement on arrests or the progress of investigations.
Residents also alleged that the register had been compiled by one of Laurence Kakala's children, a claim that increased tensions and eventually led to the clashes in which Michael Shiisa was fatally injured.
By the time of filing this report, police had deployed officers to the residence of Laurence Kakala.
His children are alleged to have been involved in the assault that resulted in Shiisa's death. The family had reportedly fled the area for fear of retaliation from the deceased's relatives.
Police had not yet issued an official statement on arrests or the progress of investigations.