MP aspirant Bitangaro supporters injured in Kisoro violence, Police move to quell clashes

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Clashes between supporters of two rival candidates contesting for the Bufumbira South parliamentary seat in Kisoro district have erupted, leaving several injured, New Vision Online has established.

The injured victims were rushed to medical facilities on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, and others recorded statements at Kisoro Central Police Station.

The development comes barely four days after campaigns for parliamentary seats across the country officially kicked off, raising concerns over electoral violence in Uganda's politics raised immediately after the 2021 General Election.

The weeks leading up to the 2021 elections were characterised by widespread violence and human rights abuses, according to several media reports.

A supporter of former Member of Parliament (MP) Sam Bitangaro, who was injured on the forehead. (Courtesy photo)

The Police say reports indicate that the clashes erupted at Gasiza trading centre in Nyarusiza sub-county as former Member of Parliament (MP) Sam Bitangaro’s convoy moved towards Kwanyakwezi trading centre for a scheduled rally.

Supporters of incumbent MP Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda allegedly attacked Bitangaro’s supporters using sticks and stones.

One vehicle in the convoy developed a mechanical issue, which escalated the confrontation.

Kigezi Police region spokesperson Elly Maate said they had received reports of the political clashes.

"It’s alleged that as the supporters of Bitangaro were moving to a rally, upon reaching Gasiza, they were attacked by the supporters of Niyonsaba. They beat them up with sticks,” Maate stated.

He said the territorial Police had dispatched a team to bring order and arrest the perpetrators. Maate identified some of the injured as Silvan Habyarimana and Ronald Sibomana, all residents of Nyarusiza sub-county. Several of Bitangaro's supporters were allegedly cut and beaten.

"The political clash was unnecessary because there was a programme that was made for all candidates. Police shall not sit and watch people behave as if there is no rule of law," Maate said.

When contacted, Bitangaro declined to comment in detail, saying he was at a rally.

When asked if he was involved, he added: “I was not involved.”

Niyonsaba said, “That is a lie. If you are on WhatsApp, I am going to send you a video of people holding sticks moving with the Police. I did not have a rally today. I had my rally yesterday. I did not have Police with me,” he said.

In the recent NRM primaries, Niyonsaba won by a margin of 597 votes.

Bitangaro returned as an independent to contest the seat he lost in 2021 to Niyonsaba.