By Aggrey Twesigye
A night of chaos gripped Rwenyaga cell in Ryamiyonga parish, Mwizi sub county, Rwampara East, after political tensions between rival camps exploded into violence late Thursday.
At around 10 p.m., supporters of independent candidate Charles Ngabirano allegedly descended on the supporters of NRM flag bearer and incumbent MP Julius Tusiime Karuhanga, sparking a clash that left two homesteads vandalized and several people nursing injuries.
The targeted homes belonging to Wilboard Orishaba and Saul Nuwamanya were left with shattered windows, broken household items, and terrified families seeking safety through the night.
Karuhanga’s supporters say the attack was driven by political frustration after Ngabirano, once seen as Karuhanga’s close ally, lost the recent NRM primaries and chose to go independent, escalating tension in an already politically volatile area.
But this is not new for Rwampara.
The district has a long, painful history of election-season violence.
In 2016, fierce clashes between Ngabirano’s camp and supporters of then-MP Vincent Kyamadidi left several homes torched and multiple residents injured — scars that locals say they have never fully recovered from.
Residents now accuse police of arriving late and failing to contain the situation before it spiraled, and they are demanding increased security patrols as the election season grows more heated.
With the campaigns gaining momentum, locals fear Thursday’s incident could be an early warning of more violence to come unless authorities act swiftly.
