A tragic incident occurred during the Hoima LC5 by-election campaign, resulting in the loss of life for a National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter and injuries to ten other individuals. The incident took place as the convoy, accompanying NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, was on its way to Kigorobya Sub County in Hoima District for a campaign rally in support of the party candidate in the upcoming by-election.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Norman Mugisa, a resident of Kiryatete. His body has been handed over to his family.
According to Hakiza, the fatal incident occurred when Norman Mugisa was struck by unknown vehicles and motorcycles within the convoy. The incident took place at Mumpuda along the Hoima-Buliisa road around 5:30 pm.
Norman Mugisa, the deceased, was a technician from Buhimba Town Council in Kikuube District and was a passenger on one of the motorcycles involved in the convoy. The identities of the injured victims are yet to be established, and they were promptly taken to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital for medical attention.
Hakiza explained that the accident occurred when the motorcycle carrying the deceased experienced a sudden brake malfunction in the middle of the road. This led to collisions with other closely following motorcycles, and an unidentified vehicle with no license plate also sustained damage in the incident.
The police spokesperson attributed the cause of the accident to reckless driving and speeding. Earlier that day, security officials had issued warnings to all drivers within the convoys to prioritize safety and avoid speeding.
Hakiza stated, “We have initiated a general inquiry file for this incident. We encourage anyone with information about the vehicles and motorcycles involved in the accident to report to the police. This will greatly aid our ongoing investigation and potentially lead to the impoundment of the vehicles and the arrest of their owners. At the time we arrived at the scene, all the victims had already been evacuated and taken to the hospital.”