Aspiring LC I chairperson dies after nomination in Mbale

By Joseph Sooka

Police in Mbale City have launched investigations into the death of an aspiring LC I chairperson who reportedly collapsed shortly after completing his nomination on Wednesday.

The deceased, identified as Ismail Tebirondwa, was contesting for the LC I chairperson seat for Lwakhakha Cell in Mbale Industrial City Division.

Elgon Region Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika confirmed the incident, saying police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Tebirondwa’s collapse and subsequent death.

“We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Give us time to establish exactly what happened,” Taitika said.

He added that the deceased’s relatives allegedly removed the body from the scene before police could transport him for medical attention or conduct a postmortem examination to establish the cause of death.

Meanwhile, Mbale City Electoral Commission Returning Officer Michael Arinaitwe said the nomination exercise had been organised according to a schedule assigning specific days to candidates from different wards.

However, he noted that many candidates turned up outside their allocated dates, forcing electoral officials to accommodate them.

“We had a nomination schedule, but many candidates did not follow it. We could not turn them away because they have a right to be nominated. We hope the exercise will be more organised in the coming days,” Arinaitwe said.

He confirmed receiving reports that a candidate had collapsed during the nomination exercise but said the exact cause of death would be determined through the ongoing police investigations.

Police had not released further details by press time, and the cause of Tebirondwa’s death remained unknown.