Story by Obed Kankiriho
A community sensitization meeting in Kasemisego Village, Southern Division, Kisoro Municipality, turned chaotic on Monday after parliamentary aspirant Emmanuel Maniraguha, popularly known as Tourland, allegedly disrupted the event and assaulted elderly women in attendance.
The meeting, organized by the Kasemisego Women Kwifatanya and Youth Development groups, was held at the residence of Gabriel Hatega.
It aimed to equip locals with skills in piggery and poultry farming as a strategy to combat poverty.
The session also followed the launch of a piggery project in the area, funded by fellow parliamentary aspirant Dr. Leo Mfitimana, and was set for official commissioning the same day.
According to eyewitnesses, including Hatega’s security personnel Elias Igiraneza and Sam Mbabazi, Maniraguha arrived unannounced and demanded access to the venue.
After forcing his way in, he allegedly began slapping elderly women and tearing up attendance sheets, sparking panic and outrage among participants.
Local residents condemned the incident, accusing Maniraguha of violently interrupting a peaceful initiative meant to empower women and youth.
Several community members called for accountability, urging the aspirant to conduct his campaign with decorum and respect for grassroots development efforts.
Addressing attendees after the disruption, Dr. Mfitimana decried the alleged violence, calling it an attack on efforts aligned with President Yoweri Museveni’s appeal for practical poverty-eradication programs.
In a later interview at Kaneti Hotel in Kisoro Municipality, Maniraguha admitted to visiting the venue but denied any violent conduct. He claimed the meeting was unauthorized and being held on what he referred to as family property.
He said he asked the group to disperse and confiscated the attendance list, which he later submitted to Kisoro Central Police Station, where a case was reportedly filed.
Police have yet to release an official statement on the matter.
