Police deny shooting motorist during NUP campaign in Sironko

________________

Police in Sironko District have dismissed allegations that a motorist was shot during a campaign stop for National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, describing the claims as false and unsupported by medical evidence.

According to a statement issued by Elgon Region Police spokesperson SP Rogers Taitika, the incident occurred on the afternoon of January 4, 2026, in Buchibindi village, Budadiri town council.

Police said the incident involved a Toyota Wish, registration number UBM 430K, driven by Lubulwa Hamza.

Police reported that the vehicle drove recklessly and overtook the candidate’s convoy.

“Despite being flagged down by the security detail, the driver refused to stop and nearly struck a security vehicle, prompting a pursuit and interception,” the police statement read.

Police further said that upon being stopped, the driver resisted lawful arrest and sustained a head injury during the ensuing scuffle. He was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.

SP Taitika emphasised that “allegations that he was shot are false and are not supported by clinical evidence.”

However, eyewitness accounts differed from the official police report.

Asuman Wetaka, an aspiring mayor for Mbale Industrial Division who was in the vehicle at the time, alleged that the confrontation began after security personnel mistreated a boda boda rider.

“When that happened, one of the security personnel banged our car and prepared to use the spray. We knew we were in danger,” Wetaka said.

“We rolled up our windows as they tried to use pepper spray. Journalists saw us driving past Kyagulanyi’s vehicle; we were trying to stay safe, but they shot at our car. We drove for some distance to find safety, but realised we could not go any further. One of the security men then hit the driver right in front of my eyes.”

Journalists at the scene reported hearing at least two gunshots before the white vehicle sped away from the motorcade.

Approximately 800 metres from the scene, journalists pursuing a vehicle that had left the convoy found a man lying face down on the ground. Nearby, a saloon car was found with its front right tyre shredded, its engine running, and music blaring from its sound system.

The victim was evacuated to an undisclosed hospital using an ambulance provided by Kyagulanyi’s team.

Kyagulanyi responds

Addressing a rally later that day at Masaba SS playground in Budadiri, Kyagulanyi condemned the incident, calling it part of a pattern of state-sponsored violence.

During the event, Kyagulanyi paraded a bandaged, bare-chested man whom he claimed had been shot in the back with a rubber bullet.

By press time, the condition of the driver, Lubulwa Hamza, had not been independently confirmed.

The incident occurred days after President Museveni, in his December 31 New Year’s message, urged security forces to refrain from using violence against supporters, noting that every citizen has the right to listen to their candidate of choice.

Religious leaders and the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, have also issued statements condemning electoral violence as Uganda prepares for the general election on January 15.