By Ben Musanje
Police have arrested 20 people following an alleged attack on Kibuku County Member of Parliament Herbert Kinobere and other National Resistance Movement (NRM)-leaning mourners during the burial of former Busiro South MP Charles Matovu in Kungu, Lutare, along Nakawuka Road.
The incident reportedly occurred on October 25, 2026, according to Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, who addressed journalists during Monday’s security press briefing at Police Headquarters in Naguru.
Rusoke said police were investigating allegations that a group of political activists believed to be supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) attacked mourners because of their political affiliation.
He alleged that the group opposed the presence of NRM supporters at the burial, pelted some mourners with stones and deflated the tyres of Kinobere’s vehicle.
“Police intervened and managed to make 20 arrests,” Rusoke said, adding that the suspects were being held in custody and would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He urged Ugandans to respect mourners regardless of their political affiliations, arguing that burial ceremonies bring together relatives, friends, colleagues and other people connected to the deceased, irrespective of their political differences.
Rusoke warned that individuals involved in violence would be held personally accountable for their actions, regardless of the political message they intended to communicate.
NUP Denies Involvement
However, NUP Chief Mobiliser Habib Buwembo disputed the allegations, accusing police of using arrests and claims of violence to create fear among members of the public and discourage them from attending activities associated with the opposition party.
Buwembo said the party had not received reports from family members concerning the alleged arrests of its supporters.
He also denied that NUP supporters were involved in any violent attack against NRM members during the burial.
The competing accounts leave questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident, with police maintaining that investigations are ongoing while NUP rejects the allegations against its supporters.
Police Intensify Operations Against Crime
Meanwhile, police say they have intensified patrols and surveillance across the Kampala metropolitan area as part of broader efforts to combat crime.
Rusoke cited an incident on October 23 in which a female student of Metropolitan International University in Mengo was reportedly attacked by four men armed with machetes near the interchange connecting the Northern Bypass and Entebbe Expressway.
The attackers allegedly grabbed the student’s bag containing mobile phones before police officers responded to her alarm and pursued the suspects.
According to Rusoke, officers cornered one suspect in a nearby swamp. He allegedly attempted to attack the officers with a machete and was subsequently incapacitated. He later died, and his body was taken to a mortuary.
Police also reported a separate incident in Otuke District in which a 15-year-old juvenile, identified as Denis Okello, was shot dead during an operation targeting groups accused of attacking people travelling to and from a market in Te Obuke Cell, Otuke Town Council.
Rusoke said officers had been pelted with stones during the operation and that the juvenile was hit by a bullet as police attempted to disperse the group and apprehend suspects.
He described the loss of life as unfortunate and extended condolences to the bereaved family, adding that a general inquiry file had been opened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Police Warn Public Ahead of National Cleaning Day
Police also reminded the public to observe movement restrictions scheduled for National Cleaning Day, which is held on the last Saturday of every month under an initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
Rusoke said the previously issued guidelines from the Office of the Prime Minister remained in force, including restrictions on movement between 7am and 10am, with exemptions applying to authorised categories.
He urged members of the public to plan their journeys and activities in advance to avoid confrontations with security personnel. Police said security officers would be deployed to support the exercise and enforce the existing guidelines.
20 Arrested as Police Accuse NUP Supporters of Attacking NRM-Leaning MP Kinobere at Matovu’s Burial, NUP Fires Back
By Ben Musanje
Police have arrested 20 people following an alleged attack on Kibuku County Member of Parliament Herbert Kinobere and other National Resistance Movement (NRM)-leaning mourners during the burial of former Busiro South MP Charles Matovu in Kungu, Lutare, along Nakawuka Road.
The incident reportedly occurred on October 25, 2026, according to Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, who addressed journalists during Monday’s security press briefing at Police Headquarters in Naguru.
Rusoke said police were investigating allegations that a group of political activists believed to be supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) attacked mourners because of their political affiliation.
He alleged that the group opposed the presence of NRM supporters at the burial, pelted some mourners with stones and deflated the tyres of Kinobere’s vehicle.
“Police intervened and managed to make 20 arrests,” Rusoke said, adding that the suspects were being held in custody and would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He urged Ugandans to respect mourners regardless of their political affiliations, arguing that burial ceremonies bring together relatives, friends, colleagues and other people connected to the deceased, irrespective of their political differences.
Rusoke warned that individuals involved in violence would be held personally accountable for their actions, regardless of the political message they intended to communicate.
NUP Denies Involvement
However, NUP Chief Mobiliser Habib Buwembo disputed the allegations, accusing police of using arrests and claims of violence to create fear among members of the public and discourage them from attending activities associated with the opposition party.
Buwembo said the party had not received reports from family members concerning the alleged arrests of its supporters.
He also denied that NUP supporters were involved in any violent attack against NRM members during the burial.
The competing accounts leave questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident, with police maintaining that investigations are ongoing while NUP rejects the allegations against its supporters.
Police Intensify Operations Against Crime
Meanwhile, police say they have intensified patrols and surveillance across the Kampala metropolitan area as part of broader efforts to combat crime.
Rusoke cited an incident on October 23 in which a female student of Metropolitan International University in Mengo was reportedly attacked by four men armed with machetes near the interchange connecting the Northern Bypass and Entebbe Expressway.
The attackers allegedly grabbed the student’s bag containing mobile phones before police officers responded to her alarm and pursued the suspects.
According to Rusoke, officers cornered one suspect in a nearby swamp. He allegedly attempted to attack the officers with a machete and was subsequently incapacitated. He later died, and his body was taken to a mortuary.
Police also reported a separate incident in Otuke District in which a 15-year-old juvenile, identified as Denis Okello, was shot dead during an operation targeting groups accused of attacking people travelling to and from a market in Te Obuke Cell, Otuke Town Council.
Rusoke said officers had been pelted with stones during the operation and that the juvenile was hit by a bullet as police attempted to disperse the group and apprehend suspects.
He described the loss of life as unfortunate and extended condolences to the bereaved family, adding that a general inquiry file had been opened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Police Warn Public Ahead of National Cleaning Day
Police also reminded the public to observe movement restrictions scheduled for National Cleaning Day, which is held on the last Saturday of every month under an initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
Rusoke said the previously issued guidelines from the Office of the Prime Minister remained in force, including restrictions on movement between 7am and 10am, with exemptions applying to authorised categories.
He urged members of the public to plan their journeys and activities in advance to avoid confrontations with security personnel. Police said security officers would be deployed to support the exercise and enforce the existing guidelines. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
