Violence Disrupts LC1 Elections in Parts of Mukono

What the report says

Nile Post reported that Local Council I elections in parts of Mukono District were interrupted on Tuesday after violence and intimidation allegations led election officials to stop polling at some stations. The affected contests included areas in Katosi Town Council and Mukono Municipality, though the report said voting continued without major problems in most of the district.

The most serious disruption was reported in Bunakijja Village, Katosi Town Council, where polling was cancelled after clashes involving supporters of Democratic Party candidate David Mugabo and National Resistance Movement candidate Haruna Lukoma. According to witnesses cited by Nile Post, voting had begun calmly with voter names being read out, but tension rose after vehicles arrived carrying men whose faces were covered. One person allegedly seized the voters’ register and ran into a nearby coffee plantation, triggering disorder.

Nile Post said UPDF soldiers at the polling station intervened as clashes broke out. The report also said the presiding election official was allegedly forced into a vehicle and driven away, but authorities had not confirmed that account by publication time. Several people were injured, including an unidentified woman who reportedly suffered serious facial injuries and was taken for treatment.

Mugabo’s supporters accused political actors of using intimidation to influence the vote, while Lukoma denied involvement and blamed DP supporters for bringing in the people who disrupted the process. Nile Post reported that the Electoral Commission and security agencies had not yet issued official statements, and it was not clear whether fresh voting would be arranged at the affected station. Other reported trouble spots included Nantabulirwa Cell, Namuyenje Village, Golomolo Village and Gonve.