Sembabule Residents Protest Suspension of Village Council Elections

What the report says

Residents of Katoogo Village in Nakasenyi Sub-county, Sembabule District, have protested the suspension of village council elections and are calling on the Electoral Commission to set a new date. According to Nile Post, the demonstrators said the village has been left without effective local representation and needs elected leaders to address community concerns.

The residents marched with placards and slogans, arguing that the absence of a council has created a leadership vacuum. They also complained about former village chairperson David Senkima, alleging that he was still using the official village stamp despite his term ending. The community said it wanted a fresh vote so it could choose its own leadership.

The Electoral Commission gave a different account of why the election was halted. District deputy EC boss Suzan Asimwe said polling was suspended after disorder broke out on election day, including protests and damage to the voters’ register. She also said the commission received written complaints from some residents asking for the election to be cancelled, and that these were sent to the EC chairperson for guidance.

Sembabule Deputy Resident District Commissioner Faisal Seruwajji urged residents to channel their grievances through the Electoral Commission, which is responsible for resolving the matter. The dispute matters because it leaves Katoogo without an elected local council while officials consider whether and when fresh elections should be held.