A former village chairperson in Kanungu District has died after suffering severe burns when a fire destroyed his home hours after he lost the Local Council I (LC1) elections, in an incident that has shocked residents and prompted calls for a thorough investigation.
Justus Byakurama, 61, who previously served as LC1 chairperson of Bikomero Village in Katungu Parish, Rugyeyo Sub-county, was declared defeated in Tuesday’s elections after securing 47 votes. His opponent, Precious Tweheireyo Kinumi, won the contest with 138 votes, according to the official results. The election formed part of Uganda’s nationwide village leadership polls organised by the Electoral Commission.
According to residents, Mr Byakurama returned home peacefully with his family after the results were announced.
Later that evening, they say, Mr Kinumi who is also Mr Byakurama’s neighbour lit a bonfire to celebrate his election victory.
Witnesses told local media that at around 11:00 p.m., the flames reportedly spread beyond the celebration site and ignited Mr Byakurama’s kitchen before rapidly engulfing the main house.
Residents rushed to help the family battle the fire, but the blaze spread quickly through the property.
Mr Byakurama is reported to have sustained severe burns while attempting to rescue family members and salvage household belongings from the burning house. He was taken to hospital for treatment but later died from his injuries, according to local reports.
The circumstances surrounding the blaze are expected to form the focus of police investigations.
The incident has cast a shadow over the recently concluded LC1 elections, which saw millions of voters elect leaders in more than 71,000 villages across the country. The elections are considered the foundation of Uganda’s local governance system, with village chairpersons handling community disputes, mobilising residents and coordinating local development.
Although the elections were largely peaceful nationwide, there were isolated reports of tensions and disruptions at some polling stations, including clashes between rival supporters in Kampala.
In Bikomero Village, however, residents say the atmosphere changed dramatically only hours after voting ended.
Neighbours described Mr Byakurama as a familiar community leader who had accepted the election outcome before returning home.
His death has left many residents struggling to comprehend how what began as post-election celebrations ended in tragedy.
As investigators work to establish the exact sequence of events, local leaders have urged residents to remain calm and avoid speculation until official findings are released.
The case is also likely to raise broader questions about safety during election celebrations, particularly in rural communities where homes are often built close together and open fires remain common during social gatherings.
Police had earlier appealed for peaceful conduct before, during and after the LC1 elections, warning candidates and supporters against violence or actions that could endanger lives.
For Mr Byakurama’s family and the residents of Bikomero Village, however, the celebrations that marked one man’s political victory have ended in the loss of another community member.
