Tension flared in Malava on Thursday after a vehicle associated with Eugene Wamalwa was shot at and set ablaze by unidentified attackers. The attack occurred in the Manyonje area of Butali Ward, where armed goons reportedly ambushed the car before torching it completely.
Witnesses said the gang first fired at the vehicle, puncturing a tyre, before pouring flammable liquid on it and setting it on fire. Thick smoke billowed from the burning car as residents fled the scene in panic.
The incident disrupted voting in nearby polling centres, with some residents temporarily abandoning queues amid fears of further violence.
The attack on Wamalwa’s car comes amid widespread reports of intimidation, clashes, and political tension across Malava. Earlier in the day, several candidates raised concerns over the safety of their agents after confrontations between rival groups were reported in Butali and surrounding areas.
Election observers noted that the violence risked suppressing voter turnout, especially in areas where voters feared retaliation from armed groups allegedly hired to influence the poll.
Security personnel were deployed in larger numbers following the incident, with reinforcements arriving from Malava Police Station to restore calm and secure polling stations.
The Malava by-election, already tense due to earlier incidents of violence, now faces serious concerns over fairness and voter safety. As the voting process continues, residents and political leaders alike are calling for enhanced security, transparency, and swift justice for those behind the attacks.
