Police in the Kiira region swiftly intervened on Tuesday evening after violent clashes broke out between supporters of rival candidates contesting for the Jinja City Southern Division mayoral flag.
The incident, which occurred in Loco Cell, Southern Division, around 5:00 p.m. on July 22, involved supporters of candidates Faruwa Kitakule and Rogers Egesa Anjoga.
The confrontation escalated into violence, leaving thirteen people injured and requiring treatment at Jinja Main Hospital.
According to security officials, six suspects were arrested in connection with assault and malicious damage. During the fracas, a tuk-tuk was set ablaze, and windscreens of several vehicles were smashed.
Regional Police Commander (RPC) for Kiira, SSP Charles Nsaba, confirmed the arrests and emphasized the need for calm and dialogue ahead of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries scheduled for Thursday, July 24.
“We have contained the situation, and those responsible are being held accountable. I have called for a harmonization meeting between the candidates and their supporters to ensure the primaries proceed peacefully,” Nsaba said.
As of Wednesday, Police had heightened patrols in Southern Division and other parts of Jinja City to prevent further violence as political activities intensified in the run-up to the primaries.
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