The Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, has ordered disciplinary action against Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) accused of failing to prevent violence that left two people dead during the Local Council One (LC1) elections in Buwenge Town Council, Jinja District.
Babalanda issued the directive while representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the burial of the two victims who were shot during clashes at Buwenge Progressive Academy polling station in Kabi Zone on Tuesday, July 28.
The deceased were identified as Fred Kalulu, 19, a resident of Market Zone in Buwenge Town Council, who died at the scene, and Latibu Ikaali, 23, who later succumbed to gunshot injuries at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.
Addressing mourners, Babalanda conveyed President Museveni’s condolences to the bereaved families and residents of Buwenge, while assuring them that investigations would be conducted to establish circumstances surrounding the deaths.
“The President is saddened by this loss of life. Government will ensure that investigations are conducted and that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law,” Babalanda said.
The minister condemned violence during electoral processes, urging political actors and communities to use lawful channels to resolve disputes.
She singled out RDCs for failing to effectively manage security situations within their jurisdictions, warning that officers found negligent would face consequences.
“RDCs are the heads of security in the districts. How can you watch such a situation unfold and fail to intervene? This term, we shall not tolerate officers who are sleeping on the job. Immediate action will be taken,” she said.
Babalanda stressed that elections should provide citizens with an opportunity to choose their leaders peacefully rather than become a source of conflict and loss of life.
“Elections are about choosing leaders, not about shedding blood. RDCs and security agencies must ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” she added.
She directed RDCs, the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies across the country to strengthen security coordination and supervision during electoral activities to protect voters, candidates and polling officials.
The minister also tasked local leaders and security agencies with conducting peace sensitisation campaigns to prevent election-related violence in communities.
As part of government support, each bereaved family received Shs10 million from President Museveni and Shs5 million from the Inspector General of Police.
Babalanda apologised on behalf of the government for the tragic loss of life and extended condolences to the affected families.
Religious and local leaders who attended the burials appealed for calm and urged young people not to be used to fuel violence during elections.
The LC1 elections, conducted across the country, are part of Uganda’s decentralisation system aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and improving service delivery. Leaders emphasised that the democratic process must remain peaceful and should never result in the loss of lives.
