Live bullets fired as chaos mars LC2 election in Oyam

What the report says

Police in Oyam District fired live bullets into the air on Monday to break up unrest during an LC2 chairperson election in Bar Parish, Abok Sub-county, according to Dokolo Post. The contest involved three candidates: independent Moris Oyepa, NRM’s Francis Oyuku and independent Samwell Bua Eyoko.

The reported disorder began when people thought to be Oyuku supporters tried to join the queue even though they were said not to be on the official voters’ register. The situation escalated into a confrontation, prompting police intervention. Voting was disrupted enough that election officials did not announce the result by the time of publication.

Oyepa blamed election officials and security personnel for failing to stop what he called disruptive supporters linked to his rival’s camp, while saying his own backers stayed peaceful. Oyuku did not give a substantive comment, telling journalists he was not in a fit state to speak. A local resident, Dilish Awor, said the campaigns had generally been calm but that repeated changes in voting venues had confused voters.

Oyam District Returning Officer Joseph Omona said he had not yet received an official account of the incident. In general, local council elections in Uganda are intended to be limited to registered voters, and such disputes can draw security attention when eligibility and venue arrangements are contested.