Teargas, Arrests as Walusubi Residents Protest LC1 Election Results

What the report says

Nile Post reported that police and UPDF personnel used tear gas and arrested more than 15 people in Walusubi Village, Nama Sub-county, Mukono District, after residents protested disputed Local Council I election results. The unrest reportedly began on Wednesday morning, a day after voting, when residents objected to the declaration of National Resistance Movement candidate Hajji Abubaker Mulimira as winner.

According to the report, protesters alleged that votes had not been counted before the result was announced. Salim Ahmed, identified as the village defence secretary, told Nile Post that residents were shocked by the declaration because they believed no tally had been conducted. The protests, involving mainly young people, included road blockages and fires, after which security officers dispersed crowds with tear gas. Nile Post said several residents were reportedly injured, and those arrested were taken to Mukono Central Police Station.

The dispute centers on claims by supporters of incumbent chairperson Kawoya Ronald, who rejected the announced outcome and demanded a review. Nile Post reported that Kawoya said he had video evidence showing a much larger line of voters behind him than behind his opponent, but those claims had not been independently verified in the article. Some residents also accused electoral officials of being influenced by local NRM leaders, allegations for which no official response was included.

Nile Post said attempts to reach Mulimira were unsuccessful, and that the Electoral Commission and Uganda Police Force had not issued statements on the allegations by the time of publication. The incident matters because LC1 leaders are the closest elected officials to village residents in Uganda, and disputes over local results can quickly affect community trust and public order.