Deadly Violence Erupts in Samia Bugwe North Ahead of NRM Primaries

Namungodi, July 16, 2025 — Political tensions in Samia Bugwe North have escalated into deadly violence just days before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries, leaving one man dead and several others injured in what residents describe as a targeted wave of political attacks.

The community woke to shock and grief when the lifeless body of a local DJ and political mobilizer, Paul Wandera, widely known by his stage name Pholy, was found at the Namungodi Primary School playgrounds. Deep gashes to his head pointed to a brutal killing, believed to have occurred overnight. He was a prominent campaigner for NRM parliamentary hopeful John Paul Wandera, and his murder has sent ripples through the politically charged region.

Supporters of John Paul Wandera reported that at least ten members of their camp were ambushed late last night by men wielding machetes. “They didn’t ask for money. They asked who we support,” one shaken victim recounted. “This wasn’t a robbery—it was a message.”

While no official suspects have been named, accusations are flying. Many locals point fingers at supporters of the incumbent MP, Hon. John Mulimba, alleging that elements loyal to him may be orchestrating the violence. Even more disturbing are rumors implicating certain security operatives linked to Lt. Gen. Andrew Guti, raising concerns of state-aligned intimidation. “We are being hunted for our political choices,” a Wandera campaign agent claimed. “If the party doesn’t intervene now, it will have blood on its hands.”

The deepening unrest is having a chilling effect on civic engagement. In Namungodi and nearby trading centers, residents are reportedly avoiding political gatherings and refraining from wearing campaign materials for fear of retaliation. “Even children are afraid,” said an elder who requested anonymity. “This was supposed to be an election, not a battlefield.”

So far, the Uganda Police and military units deployed in the area have remained silent, offering no comment on the escalating situation. Local leaders, however, are demanding immediate intervention to stabilize the constituency and guarantee the safety of voters. “We need order restored, and we need it now,” urged one district official. “No candidate should feel unsafe in their own country.”

With just days to go until the primaries, the violence in Samia Bugwe North threatens to overshadow the democratic process. As the NRM grapples with internal divisions, the party’s ability to deliver a credible and peaceful election in the region hangs precariously in the balance. For many residents, the hope is not just for a free and fair vote—but for survival.