Uganda Police Force and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have disrupted a sports event organized by Simon Agaba, a former aspirant for Ndorwa West MP, in Kabale District.

The event, under the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), aimed to award medals to participants of the Ndorwa West MK Football Tournament at Katwaro Playground, Ryakarimira Town Council.

The Officer in Charge (OC) of Ryakarimira Police Post, backed by armed UPDF officers, intervened on the football pitch, ordering players and supporters to vacate the premises immediately.

This intervention came after Mr. Patrick Twesigye, LC1 Chairperson of Nyakitokoro Cell, claimed he had not been notified about the event, deeming it unauthorized. Twesigye, who arrived at the venue wearing a yellow shirt featuring Minister David Bahati and President Yoweri Museveni’s portraits, insisted that the event could not proceed without official approval.

Amidst the ensuing commotion, a group of individuals removed the goalposts while Agaba’s team engaged in a heated dialogue with the authorities. Agaba expressed frustration, citing approval he claimed to have received from the Kabale District Police Commander and the Principal Assistant Town Clerk of Ryakarimira Town Council.

However, the OC and the LC1 Chairman maintained there was no written documentation to support Agaba’s claims, a stance confirmed by Kabale District Police Commander SP Joseph Bakaleke. Bakaleke explained in a phone interview that he had advised the organizers to postpone the event and inform relevant authorities of the new date for security reasons.

Local residents, including Sadam Babwekyeka and Clement Tukundane, blamed LC1 Chairman Twesigye for inciting the disturbance. They alleged that Twesigye received Shs. 300,000 from State Minister of Trade and local MP David Bahati to disrupt the event. Football player Derrick Ekinamushabire from Butanda Subcounty claimed Bahati personally handed over the money to Twesigye to persuade certain players to withdraw from the match.

These allegations could not be independently verified. However, Ndorwa West Legislator Bahati was seen at Katwaro Playground, where he briefly addressed attendees before departing.

Agaba arrived shortly afterwards, accompanied by supporters wearing PLU insignia. As Bahati departed, he remarked, “ogwe arikunuza omukoro kusha,” translating to “That one is only spicing up the goings-on.” Chaos erupted approximately 15 minutes after his departure.

Attempts to reach Minister Bahati for comment were unsuccessful as his known phone numbers were unreachable. Despite the disruption, Agaba was eventually permitted to distribute medals, footballs, and jerseys to participants. Security personnel allowed him to address approximately 70 youths, including players and coaches, while others were instructed to leave the playground.