Election Officials Warn LC1 Candidates Against Violence, Voter Bribery Ahead of Polls

What the report says

Nile Post reports that election officials in Uganda’s Central North Region have cautioned candidates in the upcoming Local Council 1 chairperson and village women committee polls against violence, vote-buying, abusive language and other breaches of electoral rules. The warning was issued during a stakeholders’ meeting involving local leaders, security agencies, the judiciary and electoral actors from Luweero, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Kyankwanzi, Kayunga and Kiboga districts.

Electoral Commission Commissioner for the Central North Region Anthony Okello urged candidates to respect the law and avoid conduct that could leave divisions in the same communities where they will continue living after the elections. Regional Election Officer Tolbert Musinguzi said campaigns had started and reminded contenders that only door-to-door campaigning is permitted. He warned against processions, vehicle-based campaigning, insults directed at opponents and voter bribery, saying violations could lead to disqualification.

Musinguzi also said the Electoral Commission plans to provide voter identification tokens to eligible voters to support identity checks during polling and vote counting, a measure officials said is intended to reduce manipulation. Luweero Resident District Commissioner Mariam Nalubega said security agencies were deployed to maintain order, while stressing that their role is not to take part in the election itself.

The report also noted concerns from Johnson Kamuhangire, a Nakaseke district councillor representing persons with disabilities, about the number of independent candidates, many allegedly linked to the ruling NRM. He said party members may engage some independents to step down to avoid splitting support. The warnings matter because village-level elections are highly local contests, where disputes can directly affect community relations and confidence in electoral administration.