Residents of Butangala A Village in Kagoma Town Council, Jinja Distric, had expected to see their longtime Local Council I chairperson seeking another mandate in the ongoing village elections. Instead, they are preparing to bury the man who spent his final hours campaigning door to door.
Mubaraka Wakasa, 64, who had served as LC I chairperson for 26 years, died on Tuesday morning after collapsing while canvassing for votes on Monday evening. He had recently secured the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag and was seeking another term in office.
According to relatives, Wakasa suddenly collapsed while campaigning with supporters and was rushed to Buwenge Health Centre IV before being referred to Buwenge General Hospital. After his condition was stabilised, he was transferred to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, where he later died.
Medical reports indicate that he succumbed to cardiac arrest after battling multiple health complications over the past several months.
His nephew, Abdullah Musisi, said family members had repeatedly urged Wakasa to suspend his campaigns because of his deteriorating health, but he remained determined to seek another term.
Musisi said Wakasa had spent three days in hospital last week and resumed campaigning immediately after recovering.
“He insisted on returning to the campaign trail despite our concerns. We believe the physical demands of the campaigns, coupled with the pressure of the race, worsened his condition,” Musisi said.
The death comes as candidates across the country intensify campaigns ahead of the Local Council I elections scheduled for Thursday, July 28, ending years without village council elections. The polls have sparked intense competition in many communities, with candidates traversing villages, holding door-to-door campaigns and, in some areas, being accused of spending heavily to win support from voters.
