Mega Fm & Agency
Local Council One (LC1) elections in most parts of Uganda were disrupted today Tuesday by controversy, disputes and irregularities about the voters’ register while another failed to hold elections after no one expressed interest in contesting.
In Omoro District, the election in Agweno village, Odek sub-county, was temporarily suspended after chaos erupted over missing names on the voter register.
Police immediately intervened to restore calm and voting resumed moments later after officials allowed voters to use their national identity cards for verification.
A similar incident was reported in Kulu Otit Village, Bobi sub county where several residents also failed to find their names on the voters’ register. The disruption prompted security personnel to intervene before the electoral process could continue.
In Amuru district, there was chaos at Lacor Primary school in Lamogi sub county following concerns that illegible voters casted their votes. Following the confusions Atimango Anna Grace, the presiding officer was forced to conduct fresh voter register verification and fresh elections which was won by Ocaya Denis who got 91 votes, beating five other candidates.
Chaos was also registered at Lwalakwar village where supporters of Onek Martine who got 177 votes rejected the results which saw his closest rival Ocen Majelan (independent) won the election with 211 votes.
Ocen received a boost in support after Charles Ocaya, who was disqualified by the Electoral Commission for being in active civil service lined behind him. Police later intervened to restore calm.
In Nwoya district, the election for the LCI chairperson for Obul Village in Lii sub-county, failed to take place after chaos erupted at the polling station.
Three candidates were contesting for the position, including the incumbent, Okello Bosco, Acellam Walter, and Odoch Walter Odoki. According to reports, violence broke out after a large number of people whose names were not on the voter register were barred from participating in the election.
There were also allegations of voter bribery at the polling station, further escalating tensions. Punches were thrown, forcing EC officials, security and electorates to run for dare lives.
In related development, a presiding officer was rushed to Latoro Health Centre II after he was allegedly assaulted at Obira Lower Village in Got Apwoyo sub county According to sources at the scene, Odaga was allegedly attacked by supporters of one of the candidates who finished third in the election.
In Gulu city, EC suspended LC1 elections in 12 cells following incidents of violence and disputes during the voting process. Out of the city’s 127 cells, elections were successfully conducted in 88, 25 cells experienced chaos and violence while 13 were suspended.
In Wakiso District, voting in Bamutakudde Village, was thrown into confusion after residents rejected the voters’ register, claiming it contained names of people who do not reside in the village.
Meanwhile, violence broke out in Jinja Kawempe A Cell in Kawempe Division after residents rejected the results announced by Electoral Commission officials prompting security forces to fire tear gas and live bullets to disperse the crowds.
The race attracted three candidates: the incumbent LC1 Chairperson, Hussein Ssegujja, who contested as an independent; Richard Kisekka of the National Resistance Movement and Ben Ssebulime of the National Unity Platform.
The declaration immediately sparked chaos as angry residents questioned the outcome and confronted EC officials.
Police immediately evacuated EC officials from the area as security personnel fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowd.
In Bwaise-Mayanja Zone, a joint deployment of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers and police fired live bullets and tear gas to disperse residents of after protests over alleged irregularities in the LC I voters’ register turned violent.
The crowd accused election officials of using an incorrect register and alleged that non-residents had been included to influence the outcome of the vote.
Meanwhile, in Kyetungamye Village, Kijunjubwa Sub-county in Masindi District, the EC called off the LC1 election after no candidate came forward to contest the position.
Richard Todwong, The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General, blamed the anomalies on the Electoral Commission for allocating insufficient time for voter registration, leaving many eligible voters off the register.
In Nwoya district a number public and private schools across Nwoya District remained open this morning despite the government’s directive declaring today a public holiday to facilitate the nationwide LC I chairperson elections.
On Monday, the government declared Tuesday, July 28, 2026, a public holiday to enable citizens to participate in the countrywide LC I chairperson elections.
However during a visit to different parts of the district to assess the start of the electoral exercise, observed a number of learners heading to school as usual. Among schools found operating included Anaka Integrated School, Standard High School, Anaka Central Primary School, and Anaka Town Academy.
Some learners who spoke to our reporter said they had not been informed about the elections and were unaware that the day had been declared a public holiday.
Philip Oryema, Nwoya District Education Officer, said the schools informed him that it was only open to primary seven candidates who were doing mock exams.