Kamuli MP Aspirant’s Husband Shot Dead in Pre-Primary Clash

A somber mood has descended on Kamuli District following the fatal shooting of Sowedi Egumbye, the husband of aspiring Woman MP Sarah Auma, in a violent confrontation just hours before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries. The incident, which unfolded late Wednesday night, has intensified scrutiny on the conduct of the primaries and reignited concerns over the intersection of politics and security in Uganda’s rural constituencies.

Police reports indicate that Egumbye was part of a group that forcefully entered the residence of Buzaaya County MP Martin Muzaale around 11pm, allegedly ramming through the gate using one of their vehicles. According to Busoga North Police spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha, the intruders were armed with pangas and hammers—items later recovered at the scene. The group, reportedly linked to Auma’s campaign, injured several individuals during the chaotic break-in.

“They used one of the cars to knock the gate of Honourable Muzaale to gain entry,” Kasadha explained in an interview with Baba FM. “They injured people because they had weapons. In the process of trying to stop them, our officers fired at the vehicle’s tyres. Unfortunately, Sowedi was shot and later succumbed to the injuries.”

Egumbye’s body was taken to Kamuli General Hospital for a post-mortem examination as police launched a formal investigation into the circumstances of the shooting. Authorities have stressed that the group’s actions violated election campaign rules, noting that the incident occurred well after the legal campaign period had ended. Preliminary findings also suggest that some of the arrested individuals were not local residents, raising concerns about voter ferrying and attempts to influence the primary outcome.

“We are getting information that several candidates have ferried people from different areas to places where they do not vote. That is a serious electoral offence,” Kasadha said, emphasizing that the Electoral Commission and security agencies are working to uphold order throughout the polling process.

The widow, Sarah Auma, had not issued a public statement by press time. She was recently involved in a traffic accident along the Kamuli–Jinja highway and has been recovering from injuries sustained during the crash. Her campaign now faces renewed pressure amid both personal tragedy and public scrutiny.

The death of Egumbye marks one of the most serious episodes of violence so far in the lead-up to the NRM primaries. While political clashes are not new during party elections, the fatal shooting of a high-profile candidate’s spouse has rattled many and prompted calls for increased oversight. The incident has also brought to light longstanding rumors about Egumbye’s background. Residents in Buwagi, where he lived, claim he had been on the police radar for years, allegedly connected to a counterfeit currency operation. Some now believe the shooting may have been a calculated move masked as an election-related incident.

“Sowedi has been on the police wanted list for a long time,” said a local resident who requested anonymity. “There’s a feeling in the community that this killing may have had less to do with politics and more to do with unfinished business.”

Repeated attempts to reach ASP Kasadha for clarification on these allegations went unanswered.

In response to the growing tension, security personnel in Kamuli and across the country have stepped up their presence in anticipation of further unrest. Authorities have warned that any individuals found disrupting the electoral process will face immediate detention.

“Those who will prove not to be peaceful will be arrested and held until after the elections,” Kasadha stated, reiterating the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order during the sensitive electoral period.

As the NRM primaries unfold across Uganda’s 72,000 villages, Thursday’s voting has been overshadowed by tragedy and unresolved questions—setting a grim backdrop to what was expected to be a celebration of democratic participation within the ruling party.