NUP Candidate Declared Winner After Balaam Intervention in Disputed Masaka Village Poll

What the report says

Nile Post reported that a disputed LC1 election in Kirinda Village, Nyendo-Mukungwe Division in Masaka City, was settled after Minister of State for Local Government Balaam Barugahara intervened and directed a fresh voting exercise. The repeat process confirmed National Unity Platform candidate Denis Lubega as the winner in a contest that had earlier sparked tension between supporters of NUP and the National Resistance Movement.

According to the report, village elections had begun peacefully in Masaka City and other parts of Uganda, but disagreements later arose at some polling stations. In Kirinda, Lubega was said to have drawn much stronger support, with about 15 voters lining up behind him compared with three for NRM candidate Zaverio Nsubuga. Nile Post said the presiding official nevertheless announced the NRM candidate as winner before counting was completed, prompting protests from residents.

NUP supporters later stopped Barugahara’s convoy and raised the complaint. The minister went to the polling station with security personnel and Masaka City Electoral Commission officials, then ordered the vote to be repeated to clarify voters’ choice. The presiding official, identified as Ahmed Nadduli, called registered voters by name, and they lined up behind their preferred candidate. The second process showed majority support for Lubega, after which Nsubuga conceded.

Lubega thanked Barugahara and President Yoweri Museveni and named his former opponent deputy village chairperson, saying this was meant to encourage unity. Barugahara also warned against manipulating election results while claiming to act for the President. Nile Post added that a separate LC1 election at Kantungamye–Kingo also saw early disagreements before Edward Mugarura was declared winner.