Tension has escalated in Bungokho North Constituency, Mbale District, as the parliamentary campaign enters a critical phase ahead of voting on January 15. The residents and political actors have raised concern over increased violence, intimidation, and growing hostility among rival camps.
The situation worsened following a violent incident in Wanale Sub-county that left one person dead and several others injured, an incident police said was linked to political tensions between supporters of Bungokho North Member of Parliament John Faith Magolo, the incumbent, and his rival, Ms Shafiga Wanyenya who is the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag bearer.
The incident occurred on Christmas Day in Bubirabi Lower, Wanale Sub-county. The deceased was identified as Moses Nabende, 47, the chairperson of Bubirabi Lower Village, Bubentsye Parish in Wanale Sub-county. Some of the injured included Milton Wabwire, Ronald Waboka, and Andrew Nabendeh, all from the same family.
Residents said the atmosphere in the area has become increasingly volatile, especially during night hours, with reports of confrontations, threats, and clashes involving groups aligned to rival candidates. ‘People are now afraid to openly attend campaign meetings or express their political views,’ said a resident of Bubirabi Lower Village, who requested anonymity for security reasons.
Investigations commence Police in the Elgon region said they have arrested five suspects in connection with the recent killing and are continuing investigations to establish the motive. Elgon Regional Police Spokesperson Rogers Taitika said five suspects have been arrested following the incident.
‘The deceased was attacked together with three other people, who are currently undergoing treatment at different health facilities in Mbale City,’ he said.
Mr Taitika added: ‘The group was surprised when an unknown person threw a bottle into the house. When the deceased stepped out to check who had thrown it, a second bottle was hurled at him…
The deceased then went outside, where he found a group of people armed with pangas, stones and sticks, who immediately started beating him.’ Mr Andrew Nabendeh, one of the injured, told Monitor on December 26, 2025, at Mbale General Clinic where he was admitted 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 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,’Mr Nabendeh said. He added that the assailants were armed with sticks, clubs, empty bottles, and pangas.
Mr Milton Wabwire, another injured person and brother of the deceased, said they were at a trading centre relaxing when they were attacked by relatives, who accused them of supporting a different candidate. Authorities told Daily Monitor that both the victims and the attackers belong to the same family. One faction supports Ms Wanyenya, while another faction backs Mr Magolo. The Bungokho North Constituency race has attracted five candidates.
They include Ms Wanyenya, Mr Aliyi Kizamba of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party and three other candidates who are contesting on the Independent ticket—Magolo, Hussein Wazemba Wachagi, and Moses Wambede.
Bungokho North comprises five sub-counties: Bufumbo, Wanale, Bubyangu, Budwale, and Jewa Town Council. Political analyst Harriet Akullo said that the recent conflicts in Bungokho North stem from candidates attempting to tap into the support base of their rivals. She explained that Ms Wanyenya’s strongholds are Wanale and Budwale sub-counties, while the incumbent MP, Mr Magolo, commands support in Jewa Sub-county.
Mr Wachagi, on the other hand, has a strong base in Bubyangu Sub-county. Ms Wanyenya said on Christmas Day her supporters held a ‘Christmas Cup’ event in her honour, and everything went well during the celebration. However, later that night, when her supporters returned home, they were reportedly attacked by Mr Magolo’s supporters.
She added that several of her supporters were injured and are currently admitted to hospital, but her team refrained from retaliating. ‘They was another fight that broke out in a different area, where one supporter of my opponent attempted to hack one of my supporters,’ Ms Wanyenya said. She urged the police to investigate the matter, saying: ‘This politics should not cost lives. We need to put our people first in order to avoid bloodshed during this campaign.’ Mr Magolo, however, said his supporters were attacked by Ms Wanyenya’s supporters and many of them were severely injured. ‘The attackers used sticks and clubs, leaving several people wounded.
Five individuals were seriously injured. We need to control our supporters because this is not a do-or-die matter. We are the same people,’ Mr Magolo said.
He added that two weeks ago, his supporters had also been attacked, describing the repeated assaults as acts of criminality.
Elgon Regional Police Commander Samuel Asiimwe said additional security personnel would be deployed in the area to prevent further clashes. Mr Moses Wambogo, the NRM chairperson of Mbale District, directed police to investigate the matter but also 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.
About Bungokho North
Bungokho North Constituency race has attracted five candidates. They include Ms Shafiqa Wanyenya, who is the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag bearer; Mr Aliyi Kizamba of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party; and three other candidates who are contesting on the Independent ticket-incumbent John Faith Magolo, Hussein Wazemba Wachagi, and Moses Wambede.