The residents of Aligoi Sub County in Bukedea District have been forced to flee their homes following a violent retaliatory attack by relatives and supporters of the deceased NRM Sub County Chairperson, Samson Wamimbi.
Wamimbi’s death resulted from violent clashes that erupted during the LCIII elections on Wednesday, involving supporters from both the NRM and independent candidates. His passing has left a deep fissure within the community, exacerbated by the subsequent violence.
The attack specifically targeted the homes in the community.
The situation has escalated dramatically, with more twenty houses burned, and more than 200 people, including children, abandoning their homes. Widespread vandalism has left the community engulfed in insecurity, with the villages of Amee, Kakere, and Adacar bearing the brunt of the devastation.
As one approaches Aligoi Sub County, the chilling sight of empty, abandoned homes greets them. Most families have fled, fearing for their lives after attempts to unearth them during the assaults.
Jennifer Akia, a resident of Amee village, shared her harrowing experience: “When the houses in our area were set ablaze, I was terrified. I urge the government to remember the people of Bukedea; our place is now shrouded in insecurity.”
She lamented that had the local people been allowed to choose their leaders freely, the situation might not have escalated to such a violent state.
With schools set to reopen on Monday, she questioned how this could happen amidst such rampant insecurity. Akia called on the government to intervene and facilitate dialogue between community leaders and residents to address the pressing issues plaguing their lives. “We voted for the president like other parts of the country, hoping for peace. Instead, we have endured two years of insecurity due to the toxic politics in the area,” she added.
Deborah Amongin, a resident married in Aligoi, echoed that the pervasive fear that has gripped the community, noting that even before this incident, unknown assailants roamed the area armed with guns at night. “Everything has been destroyed—children’s report cards, livestock, and the harvest we prepared to sell have all been reduced to ashes,” she reported, adding that the attackers often claimed to be acting on orders from higher authorities.
Pastor John Stephen Okalebo, whose house was also torched, recounted how he returned home only to find his possessions engulfed in flames. “The insecurity here has persisted for a long time,” he lamented.
Charles Imongit, the LC1 Chairperson of Amee village, described how a group descended upon his village at night to set homes ablaze and steal property. “They even tried to break into houses where they found people inside,” he reported.
Imongit has called on the government to launch an investigation to apprehend those responsible for these atrocities. “Out of 358 households in this village, over 200 people have fled,” he said. “I have reported the matter to the police, begging them to help safeguard lves and whatever remaining properties.”
He further lamented the theft of cattle and the destruction of banana plantations, suggesting that some individuals are exploiting the chaos to inflict further pain on the community.
Stephen Mukombe, the South Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed the police’s awareness of the situation. “We have received reports regarding the torching of houses at night. An investigation is underway, and while no arrests have yet been made concerning these incidents, we have apprehended twelve suspects, including Benjamin Ecaat, the LCIII Candidate for Aligoi Sub County, to aid in the investigation regarding Wamimbi’s death,” he stated.
Background of the Violence
The violence in Aligoi appears to have been ignited on the evening of Tuesday, February 3, when Wamimbi and his team were spotted moving through villages, firing shots into the air, an action that incited anger among residents and heightened tensions in an already charged electoral environment.
The following day, Wamimbi returned to the Kakere polling station with allegedly pre-marked ballot papers, leading to a confrontation with voters who discovered that ballot boxes were already filled. In the ensuing melee, Wamimbi was struck on the head by an unknown assailant. After being rushed to Elgon Hospital in Mbale, he succumbed to his injuries while being transferred to Mulago Hospital for further treatment.
Since Wamimbi’s death, the atmosphere in Aligoi has been fraught with tension, leaving residents grappling with uncertainty and fear for their safety. The community, once vibrant and united, now stands fractured under the shadows of violence and retaliation, desperately seeking peace and security.
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