Soroti, Uganda | Asuroi village in Kamuda Parish is in shock after the death of a mother of four during a campaign rally held by Patrick Aeku, the incumbent Member of Parliament and NRM flag bearer for Soroti County.
Rose Ajiko, in her early thirties, was trampled on Saturday evening, January 10, 2026, at Aminit Primary School during a rush for yellow campaign t-shirts bearing President Yoweri Museveni’s emblem.
She leaves behind her husband, Francis Olanya, and four children, the youngest just two years old.
Relatives and neighbours described the tragedy as devastating for the family and the wider community.
“This has shaken us all. The children keep asking for their mother, and we don’t know how to console them,” said Sarah Aibo, a relative of the deceased.
Eyewitnesses said the rally had been calm until a campaign vehicle arrived distributing t-shirts, triggering a surge of people.
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“In the chaos, she fell and was trampled. It all happened so fast,” said Emmy Ogonga, another eyewitness.
Gabriel Engau, NRM chairperson for Asuroi village and LC1 secretary, said the meeting was peaceful before the distribution.
“The vehicle created a sudden rush, and people surged forward,” he said.
The tragedy has highlighted the emotional and social toll of political events on families.
Community members expressed anger that no political leaders have reached out to console the bereaved family.
Moses Olang, District Police Commander of Katine Central Police Station, said officers are taking statements and a postmortem is yet to be conducted.
Residents have also drawn comparisons with a July 2025 incident involving a campaign vehicle linked to Aeku, which claimed one life and injured several others, raising questions about repeated risks to communities during rallies.
Asuroi residents are now calling for greater attention to the human and social costs of political mobilization, warning that such tragedies leave deep scars on families and the community at large.
