Defeated Wakiso LC1 Leaders Demand Probe into Alleged Vote Rigging

Three former Local Council I (LC1) chairpersons in Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District, have voiced strong objections to the recent village elections, alleging that security forces and Electoral Commission (EC) officials orchestrated widespread rigging. The elections, which utilize a public lining-up method for voting, reportedly saw established procedures subverted.

Mr. Abbey Ssebowa, former chairperson of Abayita Ababiri village, stated that polling officials deviated from the mandated physical headcount. Instead, he claimed, they relied on entry slips to declare winners, ignoring the visible queues of voters. “We patiently waited for more than 20 minutes to be counted in line to no avail,” Ssebowa recounted, adding that EC officials then collected entry slips, which were used for tallying.

Further accusations include the alleged recruitment of underage children, disguised in religious attire, to inflate voter numbers. Mr. Ssebowa emphasized that while losing is acceptable, it must be within legal bounds. “Losing an election is normal, but subverting the law is unacceptable,” he asserted.

Similar concerns were raised by Mr. Joseph Musunku, an area councilor, who noted that security officers allegedly prevented legitimate residents from participating in the vote count and the selection of village executive committees. In Nkumba–Bufulu village, former chairperson Mr. John Chrysestom Luboobi alleged that military vehicles transported non-residents and students to influence the election outcome.

Mr. Stanley Nsubuga, another former village chairperson, accused election officials of disregarding actual results and announcing winners favored by security personnel. He claims his official Declaration of Results (DR) form was never provided.

When contacted, EC Spokesperson Mr. Julius Mucunguzi urged aggrieved candidates to submit formal written petitions to the commission for review. He also stated that dissatisfied candidates have the right to pursue legal action, emphasizing the EC’s mandate to hear such petitions, though no specific timeline for resolution was provided.

This publication could not independently verify the specific allegations raised by the aggrieved contestants at the time of publication. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/defeated-wakiso-village-chairpersons-demand-probe-into-alleged-vote-rigging-5542686