The National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary campaigns in Isingiro District have been temporarily suspended following violent clashes between rival supporters, the district security committee has confirmed.
The clashes erupted on Friday between supporters of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Alex Byarugaba Bakunda, and those backing his rival Mujuni Maari Asensio, both vying for the Isingiro South parliamentary seat under the NRM ticket.
The confrontation turned chaotic, leading to the burning of two vehicles, a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle Reg. No. UFZ 889Q and a white Toyota Harrier Reg. No. UBA 438X.
In response to the violence, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Adah Nasiima led the district security committee in announcing the immediate suspension of all campaign activities until further notice.
“We have suspended the campaigns for all NRM parliamentary aspirants in Isingiro District due to the clashes that occurred,” RDC Nasiima told The Nile Post. “Security intervened and managed to calm the situation, but we cannot allow such incidents to continue.’
According to the RDC, both candidates were conducting rallies in the same sub-county at the time of the clash, contrary to the expected coordination under the NRM joint campaign framework.
“We observed that there was a lack of harmonization in the campaign schedule. On Monday next week, we shall hold a meeting with the NRM district registrar and the NRM district chairperson to come up with a clear roadmap to guide the campaigns going forward,” she said.
“Security will also be provided to the candidates once campaigns resume to ensure peace and order.”
Under the NRM electoral commission guidelines, all NRM aspirants are expected to hold joint rallies within the same area to promote unity and reduce political tension.
Isingiro South has a history of electoral unrest. The constituency remains one of the hotspots for election-related violence, with tragic memories of the 2021 general elections where four people were killed in similar clashes.
District leaders and security personnel are now working together to prevent further escalation and to ensure a peaceful and democratic process as the 2026 general elections approach.