Police in the Kiira region have confirmed the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Shafik Mukisa at Buwenge Police Station on Friday morning.
Mukisa, according to Police, was attempting to escape from lawful custody when he was shot.
Kiira Region Police spokesperson James Mubi said the teenager tried to run during routine cleaning of the police cells.
The duty officer on guard fired warning shots into the air, but stray bullets hit Mukisa, who was later pronounced dead.
Mubi described the incident as “unfortunate.”
Mukisa was among several people arrested on Thursday in connection with violent disruptions during the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Local Council III chairman flag bearer elections in Buwenge Town Council.
Police allege the group, led by Ibra Isabirye, attacked voters at various polling stations with dangerous weapons.
Those detained alongside Mukisa include Isabirye, Fazir Tugume, Geoffrey Kyeyune, Derrick Kaluya, Ayub Kyeyune, and another man identified only as Reagan.
They were all being held at Buwenge Central Police Station.
Mubi said the suspects were also linked to an attack on the home of Muzamir, the former LCI chairperson of Kabi Zone, during which a vehicle and other property were vandalised.
The group faces charges of malicious damage to property and possession of dangerous weapons.
Separately, police have arrested Andrew Waseme Wawa, one of the candidates in the tense NRM primaries, for allegedly assaulting election officials and destroying voting materials.
Wawa is accused of beating presiding officer Kawili Ssebabi and tearing up Declaration of Results forms at a polling station.
Police are also pursuing another candidate, Isma Ozanya, whose camp is suspected of orchestrating much of the election-related violence.
Authorities say all suspects in custody are linked to Ozanya’s camp, and he will be required to record a statement.
Three candidates were in the race for the NRM flag bearer seat for Buwenge Town Council—incumbent Hajj Asan Kinosa, Wawa, and Ozanya.
At the end of the chaotic election, Kinosa was declared the party’s flag bearer.
News of Mukisa’s shooting sparked outrage among youth in Buwenge, who engaged in running battles with police for much of the morning.
They blocked the Jinja–Kamuli road for several hours before security forces restored order.