Minister Musasizi’s car damaged as angry villagers stone convoy in Rubanda

The police in Rubanda district have launched a manhunt for individuals accused of damaging the vehicle belonging to state minister for Finance (General Duties), Henry Ariganyira Musasizi after pelting it with stones.

The incident occurred on Thursday at around 6:40 pm at Hakashanje Playground in Nyakahanga village, Bushura parish, Hamuhambo town council, shortly after the minister addressed a campaign rally.

Kigezi region police spokesperson, Elly Maate, said unidentified individuals in the crowd hurled stones at Musasizi’s convoy as it departed, shattering the windows of his vehicle. Musasizi, the incumbent Rubanda East MP, had spent the day campaigning for a fourth term, accompanied by Rubanda district LC V chairperson Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba, who is also seeking re-election.

“Security personnel fired bullets in the air to disperse the rowdy crowd,” Maate said, adding that the motive behind the attack remains unclear, though tensions had been escalating earlier in the day, with some residents reportedly defacing Musasizi’s campaign posters.

Police have registered a case of malicious damage to property and launched investigations. Maate warned the public against political violence and urged respect for differing political views during the campaign period. Musasizi has not yet commented on the incident.

However, at the rally, he had warned that individuals harassing or attacking his supporters would be “dealt with firmly.” Kasyaba also cautioned residents that failure to support the duo might cost them access to government services in the next term.

Musasizi faces a tight race in the NRM primaries against Jogo Kenneth Biryabarema, the former Rubanda District LC V chairperson.

Their rivalry is not new. In the 2021 elections, which were marred by violence, eight of Biryabarema’s supporters were reportedly assaulted during a rally in Bubare sub-county after Musasizi’s supporters allegedly blocked access to the venue. Biryabarema eventually lost the 2021 contest, but the bruising political battle appears far from over.