Conflicting accounts have emerged over the death of Edward Mukwaya, a supporter of the National Unity Platform (NUP), following a campaign rally by presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, in Mpigi District.
Opposition leader Kyagulanyi announced Mukwaya’s death on social media, alleging that police officers assaulted the supporter, resulting in fatal injuries.
“Comrade Edward Mukwaya joins the many of our people who have been killed by police and military since our campaigns began,” Kyagulanyi said, accusing security forces of targeting his supporters and calling for accountability.
He joins a list of victims that includes Misaki Okello, who was shot dead in November shortly after a Bobi Wine rally in Iganga, and Otim Leon Joshua, a 16-year-old student at Exel High School in Mukono who was beaten and later died at Lacor Hospital in Gulu City where he had been admitted for treatment.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident began when Mukwaya intervened as police officers allegedly beat another party supporter. Officers then turned on Mukwaya, beating him with batons before pursuing, handcuffing, and assaulting him again as he tried to flee. He later collapsed and became unresponsive.
Mukwaya’s brother, Richard Ssentamu, said the family was denied immediate medical assistance, alleging that Mukwaya remained unattended at a police post for more than two hours.
“My brother lay on the ground for two hours. When I asked police to allow us to take him to hospital, they beat and chased me away. They only released the body after confirming he had died,” Ssentamu said.
Police have rejected the accusation, offering a markedly different version of events.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala said officers were attempting to rescue Mukwaya from an angry mob that had accused him of stealing a mobile phone.
Kawala was responding to a video circulating on social media showing officers and a civilian carrying a man believed to be Mukwaya.
“Our officers intervened to save a man who was being assaulted by members of the public. Unfortunately, he died as police were transporting him to hospital,” Kawala said, adding that a case file has been opened and investigations are ongoing.
The death adds to a growing list of incidents during the campaign period that have drawn criticism from opposition figures and human rights advocates, even as authorities maintain that security forces are acting within the law.
