EC dismisses support staff in Busia for allegedly tampering with voters register

What the report says

The Electoral Commission has dismissed 13 election officials in Busia District after alleging that they tampered with the voters’ register during the recently concluded Local Council I elections, according to The Independent Uganda. Those removed included Buhehe Sub-county Supervisor Andrew Ogema and 12 village registrars assigned to the area.

The report says the officials were accused of altering village registers and working with some election contestants, conduct the Commission viewed as a breach of duty. The affected villages included Buhamuna, Bulamba A, Sigala Magina, Nangodo, Bugunduhira, Mawanga, Gondohera, Buyuha, Mudiho, Muganiro and Sibona. Busia District Returning Officer Joan Aduru said the case followed investigations that found the disputed actions had helped trigger repeat polls in some villages, caused financial losses and contributed to violence during the election period.

The dismissed officials rejected the allegations. Ogema said neither he nor his team tampered with the register and argued that they were unfairly blamed for tensions that stemmed from disputes among residents. Village registrar Francis Egesa, who was attached to Sibona, also defended the team, saying confusion arose when some residents challenged the use of an older register even though staff were following Electoral Commission guidance.

The dispute matters because voters’ register handling is central to election credibility. In general, such allegations can raise concerns about local electoral administration and trust in polling outcomes, especially where reruns, costs and unrest are reported.