Kwania EC postpones LC1 elections in over 18 villages after chaos, register disputes

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Kwania:The Electoral Commission in Kwania District has postponed Local Council I elections in 18 of the district's 447 villages after disorder and disputes disrupted voting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The suspension leaves several communities waiting for a new polling date and has exposed tensions around the village register and the conduct of candidates and residents.

The affected villages named by election officials include Barlwala "A" in Inomo, Ogugu Village in Ongoceng Parish in Aduku Sub-county, and Abongorwot "A" in Abongomola Sub-county and among Others.

The postponement followed confusion among residents who turned up for the LC1 elections, the first and most local layer of elected leadership in Uganda's administrative structure. At village level, the exercise is especially sensitive because the chairperson is often the first point of contact for community disputes, local mobilisation, letters of introduction and links to higher local government offices.

Speaking to our reporter, Acupa Angela, the Deputy Returning Officer for Kwania District, confirmed that the elections in the affected villages had been put off. She said the exercise would resume on a day yet to be communicated by the Electoral Commission.

Acupa blamed the disturbances on residents who had not registered for the Local Council I election but still appeared at polling venues expecting to take part. She said some of them failed to find their names on the register and reacted by causing chaos, forcing officials to halt the process in the affected places.

“Many residents didn't go for the registration exercise held in early July hoping to use a voter location slip, which is impossible because this is a village election,” Acupa said.

In Igura Cell, Ikwera Ward in Aduku Town Council, Okello Chris UPC flag bearer and LC1 chairperson aspirant, rejected the election process. Okello alleged that he was forced not to line up and that his opponent was later declared winner.

Jaspher Edema of Akutagwe "A", Ololango Parish, Teboke Sub-county in Apac District. Edema accused incumbent LC1 chairpersons of causing chaos during the election,