Tear Gas, Violence Disrupt Wakiso LC1 Elections as EC Suspends Polling in Affected Villages

What the report says

Nile Post reported that security forces used tear gas and fired warning shots after violence broke out during Local Council One elections in parts of Wakiso District. The disturbances were linked to disputes over declared results, with supporters of rival political groups clashing during the village-level polls.

According to the report, the unrest escalated when supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement from Kyoga Village went to the Wakiso District Electoral Office, claiming their candidate had been wrongly denied victory. Police intervened after protesters allegedly tried to enter the election offices and demanded that officials reverse the announced outcome.

Wakiso District Returning Officer Aidah Tusiime said voting had been suspended in several affected villages while the Electoral Commission reviews complaints of violence and electoral irregularities. Nile Post listed the suspended areas as Nnamulondo Zone, Kitto B, Ntebbetebbe, Bbuto, Wellspring and Bweyogerere Central in Bweyogerere Division. Tusiime said the commission is documenting the incidents and examining petitions from candidates and voters before deciding the next steps.

The Electoral Commission is expected to set new polling dates after completing its inquiries and assessing whether the process in the affected villages can be considered credible. The disruptions come as LC1 elections continue elsewhere in Uganda. As general context, LC1 polls are important because they determine village leadership, which is often the first point of contact for residents seeking local administrative support, dispute resolution and community representation.