A village council chairperson in Mbale District in Bugisu Sub-region has died following violent clashes between family members supporting rival political candidates.
The Christmas Day clashes between supporters of the incumbent Bungokho North Member of Parliament in Mbale District, Mr John Faith Magolo and Ms Shafiga Wanyenya, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Bungokho North parliamentary seat left at least 10 other family members critically injured, according to police.
Mr Magolo lost the NRM flag to Ms Wanyenya in the party primaries.
The deceased has been identified as Moses Nabendeh, the LCI chairperson of Bubirabi Lower, Wanale Sub-county where the two groups clashed.
Some of the injured are Milton Wabwire, 51, Ronald Waboka, and Andrew Nabendeh, all from the same family.
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Mr Milton Nabendeh told this reporter on December 26, 2025, from his bed at Mbale General Clinic-where he was rushed after the alleged attack-that he had been at home enjoying Christmas when he received a phone call from a friend informing him that some people had attacked his father, Moses Nabendeh, and other family members.
‘When I rushed to rescue them, I was also attacked by the same group. The attackers also stormed my parents’ home and destroyed some property at around 11pm,’ he said.
According to him, the assailants were armed with sticks, clubs, empty bottles, and pangas.
Mr Nabendeh added that they sustained injuries and were rushed to Mbale General Clinic on a boda boda for treatment.
Unfortunately, his father passed away on December 26, 2026, at the same clinic where he had been rushed with severe injuries.
Mr Wabwire, a brother to the deceased, said they were at the trading centre relaxing when they were attacked by some of the members of their own family who accused them of supporting a rival candidate.
Information gathered indicate that both the victims and the attackers belong to the same family. One faction supports Ms Wanyenya, while another faction backs Mr Magolo.
Ms Wanyenya said that on Christmas Day they staged Christmas soccer tournament in her honor, and everything went well during the celebration.
However, later that night, when her supporters returned home, they were attacked by panga-wielding supporters of her opponent. She noted that several of her supporters were injured and are currently admitted to hospital, but her team refrained from retaliating.
‘There was another fight that broke out in a different area, where one supporter of my opponent attempted to cut one of my supporters. In the process, he missed and instead injured his own father, who was rushed to hospital but unfortunately later died. He intended to cut his brother, who is my supporter, but ended up cutting his father instead,’ Ms Wanyenya explained.
Ms Wanyenya condemned the violence, stressing that both she and her opponent have supporters within the same family. She further stated that in Budwale Sub-county, she was attacked by her opponent’s supporters, marking the second such incident in just two weeks.
She said that about five of her supporters were injured in the December 25, 2025 attack.
She appealed to police to investigate the attack.
‘This politics should not cost lives. We need to put our people first in order to avoid bloodshed during this campaign,’ she said.
However, Mr Magolo told this reporter that his supporters were attacked by the supporters of Ms Wanyenya and most of them were badly injured.
‘The attackers used sticks and clubs, leaving several people wounded. He noted that five individuals were seriously injured. We need to call on our supporters because this is not a do-or-die matter. We are the same people,’ Mr Magolo emphasized.
Mr Magolo added that two weeks ago, his supporters had also been attacked, describing the repeated assaults as acts of criminality. He called on security agencies to take charge in the constituency to prevent further attacks.
A detective at Mbale-Busoba Central Police Station, who requested anonymity, said they have arrested about 10 suspects, including some of the injured, to assist with investigations.
The source added that police recovered exhibits such as blood-stained pangas and clothes from one of the suspects’ home.
The body of the deceased was taken to Mbale City Mortuary for a postmortem. The suspects are currently detained at Mbale-Busoba Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Mr Samuel Asiimwe, the Elgon Regional Police Commander, confirmed the incident, saying that additional security personnel will be deployed in the area to prevent further clashes.
Mr Moses Wambogo, the NRM Chairperson of Mbale District, said there is a lot of pressure in Bungokho North Constituency.
He confirmed that the people attacking each other are from the same family.
He directed police to investigate the matter and urged the public to remain calm.
‘We condemn what happened. We want police to bring the culprits to book to answer for their actions. The party condemns any form of violence,’said Mr Wambogo.
Ms Wanyenya is contesting against four men for the Bungokho North Constituency. They include the incumbent, Mr Magolo (Independent), Hussein Wazemba Wachagi (Independent), Moses Wambede (Independent), and Aliyi Kizamba (FDC).