By Aaron Okotel
MBALE DISTRICT
Police in Mbale District have provided details about the unfortunate incident in which an LC1 Chairman was hacked to death by a mob following a political disagreement on Christmas night.
Nabende Moses, the 47-year-old LC1 Chairperson of Bubirabi Lower Village, Bubentsye Parish, was killed after being attacked at his commercial premises at approximately 11:00 PM on December 25, 2025.
According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, Nabende was at his bar with his wife, Mukhaye Gorreti, and seven of his brothers when the violence began. The peace was shattered when an unknown person hurled a bottle into the building. When Nabende stepped outside to investigate, he was met by a group of people armed with pangas, stones, and nailed sticks.
The mob immediately set upon the chairperson. In a desperate bid for safety, Nabende fled toward his father’s home, where he collapsed unconscious. He was rushed to Mbale General Clinic, but succumbed to his injuries at approximately 6:00 AM the following morning.
Three other family members were seriously injured in the fray and are currently receiving treatment. These are, Wabiru Milton (51), the deceased’s brother, Nabende Andrew (21), the deceased’s son, and Woboka Ronald (32).
The motive behind the killing appears to be rooted in the heated race for the Bungokho North constituency parliamentary seat. Nabende was a known supporter for the incumbent MP, Hon. John Faith Magoolo.
His son, Nabende Andrew, speaking from his hospital bed with head injuries, alleged the attackers were supporters of a rival candidate.
“They hit me with nailed sticks and tried to chop my hand with a panga,” Andrew said. “This all stems from our family’s staunch support for Hon. Magoolo. I identified some of them as Mujewa Brian and Derrick.”
According to Rogers Taitika, the Elgon Region police spokesperson, five suspects have been arrested and are currently detained at Busoba Mbale Police Station pending further investigations. They have been identified as: Mafabi Rogers (40), Nabende Fred (34), Wamboga Jackson (38), Shisa Sam (43) and Mafabi Christopher (51).
The Vice Chairperson of Bubirabi Lower Village, Masaba Anthony, confirmed that the incident followed a heated political argument at a local drinking joint.
Condemning the act, Kuranga Sadiq, the LC1 Chairperson of neighboring Nalubendera Village, urged residents to reject “intrigue politics.”
“This is devastating. As leaders, we want to lead people who are alive,” Sadiq said. “I call upon the contesting candidates to sensitize their supporters rather than leaving them to hate one another. I urge the family not to seek revenge, but to leave this in the hands of the law.”
