Mpigi Village Residents Block Road, Set Fire Over Unresolved Village Election Dispute

What the report says

Residents of Kyaayi Village in Mpigi Town Council, Uganda, blocked a road and set it on fire during a protest over an unresolved village leadership dispute, according to Nile Post. The community says the disagreement has left the village without a sworn-in chairperson and without an official stamp, which residents argue are needed for local administration and routine transactions.

The dispute centers on a village election in which Badru Nsubuga was initially declared the winner, but his challenger, Faridah Namwanga, later contested the result. Residents say the Electoral Commission reviewed the complaint and cancelled the outcome, and no fresh vote has been held since. As a result, Nsubuga has not been sworn in, and villagers say leadership functions remain stalled.

People in Kyaayi say the vacuum has affected more than paperwork. They described growing insecurity, including concerns about theft, and said the lack of a stamp has disrupted land-related processes and other everyday community dealings. Nsubuga also said the absence of leadership has made it harder to address security concerns and restore order.

The protest reflects wider tensions linked to village election disputes in parts of Mpigi and other areas, where unresolved results have delayed the swearing-in of local leaders. Residents are urging the Electoral Commission to intervene, including by organizing another election if necessary, so the village can regain an elected leader and resume normal administration.