NUP's Namugga in trouble over Mawogola election violence incident

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Incumbent Mawogola South Member of Parliament Gorreth Namugga, who is seeking re-election, is under probe by security in connection with the election violence that erupted between her National Unity Platform party and National Resistance Movement party (NRM) supporters in Mateete rural, Ssembabule district.

Ssembabule Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Jane Frances Kagayi told New Vision Online on December 31, 2025, that preliminary findings implicate Namugga.

“Namugga should have informed the Police and the RDC's office if she had concerns, but to hire hooligans who beat up NRM supporters of her opponent, Dez Byuma, in such a brutal way, she will have to answer for the mess,” Kagayi said.

Dez Byuma with supporters. (Photo by Dismus Buregyeya)

Kagayi added that Namugga will be summoned at any time to account for the violence.  

“It was not necessary for Namugga to hire people from the neighbouring Masaka city when we have Police personnel in Ssembabule [district] to protect her,” Kagayi said.

I was forced to bring protection

However, Namugga told journalists that she was forced to bring people to protect her after supporters of Byuma provoked her supporters several times.

Gorreth Namugga (NUP), the Mawogola South MP in Ssembabule district. (Photo by Dismus Buregyeya)

“We acted in self-defence. NRM supporters were on a mission to halt my rallies,” she said. 

Namugga added that NRM supporters from Byuma's camp who were behind the planned chaos were briefly arrested and mysteriously released.

She also attacked health state minister Hanifa Kawooya for allegedly meddling in matters of Mawogola South and influencing the electorate.

Kagayi, on December 30, visited the affected area in Mateete rural, where the violence took place, and she found other people nursing bruises.

“Imagine those hired gangs went ahead and raided homes of NRM party flag-bearer Dez Byuma [supporters] and beat them up,” she said.

The violence saw over 10 people admitted in Bamu Hospital, Ssembabule Health Centre IV and clinics in Masaka city.

After a two-day hunt down of the suspects, the Police say they have so far arrested four people connected to the NUP camp, according to regional Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye.

The suspects include Emmanuel Mukiibi (25), Henry Baguma, Livingstone Kasagga, a resident of Kanoni in Mateete rural and Ronald Kiyimba.

Kasirye said many other suspects are still on the run.  He cited the group that was imported from Nyendo suburb in the neighbouring Masaka city, who are being investigated.

“We are informed about the group of bouncers hired from Masaka, which is also implicated in the violence. Police have enough manpower, why should a leader hire such an irate mob to cause problems?” he said.

The violence on December 29 during two rallies in Mateete sub-county saw several supporters of both parties facing arrest by the Ssembabule Police, the anti-riot Police that rushed to rescue the situation. 

Another security source told New Vision Online that Nyendo has turned into a source of security threat for the elections and other crimes in the region. 

“We are informed about a crime syndicate from Nyendo where they hatch plans on a hired mission to mess up elections, land conflicts and other crimes. This must stop,” the security source that preferred anonymity said.

Denis Ddumba, the Mawogola South Parliamentary candidate on an independent ticket, condemned the violence. 

“Let the electorate side with my candidature, which is neutral and violence-free,” he said.