Lugonjo-Nakiwogo LC1 Election Results Disputed as Candidates Petition Electoral Commission

A heated dispute has erupted in Entebbe Municipality following last week’s Local Council 1 chairperson elections, with candidates and residents rejecting the outcome of the Lugonjo-Nakiwogo Village polls and formally petitioning the Electoral Commission for intervention.

The election process at Entebbe Comprehensive Secondary School polling station took a violent turn when security forces allegedly fired live bullets and teargas during the vote tallying, forcing voters to flee for their safety.

Candidates Allege Security Interference

Addressing journalists on Monday, opposition candidates detailed a series of irregularities that have prompted their formal complaint to the EC. They are demanding either an official declaration of the true winner or a fresh election altogether.

Mr. Kitakule Moses Christopher, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate who has accepted defeat, described how the process deteriorated after what had begun as a peaceful exercise. He explained that counting had proceeded normally for several candidates before security operatives abruptly intervened.

“The soldiers were supposed to maintain order but instead disrupted the entire process,” Kitakule stated. “After my four votes were counted and my colleague Magezi’s four votes were tallied, the situation remained calm. When they reached Twaha’s line, he had 403 supporters, and everything was still proceeding normally.”

Violence Erupts During NRM Candidate’s Count

Mr. Twaha Kikomeko, the Democratic Party candidate who believes he actually won the election, recounted how heavily armed security personnel from multiple units allegedly began assaulting voters and firing weapons when it came time to count the votes of Paul Zikuliza, the NRM candidate who has held the position for 35 years.

Kikomeko expressed regret for residents who sustained injuries during the chaos, emphasizing that candidates had no involvement in the violence.

“We were shocked because these were the same security forces we expected to protect us throughout the voting exercise,” he noted.

He further pointed to pre-election briefings where EC officials had reportedly stated that if disruption occurred after partial counting, the candidate with the highest votes at that moment would be declared the winner. Based on that understanding, Kikomeko maintains his victory is legitimate.

Independent Candidate Calls for Justice

Mr. Denis Magezi, who contested as an independent, raised concerns about security personnel blocking eligible voters from accessing the polling station.

“The scenes were chaotic throughout the day,” Magezi told reporters. “Our request to the Electoral Commission and all relevant authorities is straightforward—declare the legitimate winner. That person is Twaha, and he should be installed as the village chairperson.”

Formal Petition Submitted

Kikomeko has since lodged a formal complaint with the Electoral Commission, accusing security operatives of deliberately sabotaging the electoral process to favor the incumbent.

“Voters were eager to end the 35-year rule of the current chairperson,” Kikomeko explained. “The EC promised to deploy police for our protection, but instead, soldiers from various units took command of the polling area without explanation. We never expected the military to take charge of a village election.”

Additional Complaints Raised

The petitioners have raised several concerns they want the EC to investigate:

· Voter registers were not fully read
· Polling commenced later than scheduled
· No proper election was conducted for the village committee, yet an unofficial committee appears to have been established
· Zikuliza’s vote tally remains undisclosed
· Allegations that Zikuliza no longer resides in Lugonjo-Nakiwogo but has relocated to Bukandekande-Kitala in Katabi Town Council

“We urge the Electoral Commission to fulfill its mandate and deliver justice to our community,” Kikomeko said. “The village has made its decision clear—someone who doesn’t even live here anymore cannot represent us.”

Residents Demand Presidential Intervention

Ms. Roma Jane, a local resident, expressed deep frustration with both the election conduct and broader governance issues in the village.

“President Museveni told us we could vote for whoever we want, yet we are being denied that right,” she lamented. “What justification is there for deploying the entire army and police force to brutalize people over a village chairperson election?”

She added: “We are exhausted. The people we elect are not given to us—instead, we get thieves and land grabbers appointed as our leaders. This cannot continue.”

EC Acknowledges Complaints

At press time, TheBriefPost had not independently verified the claims regarding Zikuliza’s residency or the security personnel’s conduct.

Following the elections last Thursday, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama confirmed that multiple petitions had already been received concerning the LC1 elections across the country. He assured the public that all complaints would be addressed according to legal procedures.

While declining to specify the number of petitions received, Byabakama also acknowledged receiving intelligence suggesting possible collusion between election officials and individuals seeking to manipulate results. He vowed that thorough investigations would be conducted to protect the electoral process’s credibility.