Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1347 EAT on Tuesday 28 July 2026

Voting Disrupted at Kyebando Polling Station as Rival Supporters Clash, Military Deployed

Voting at a polling station in Kyebando, Kampala, was briefly disrupted on Tuesday after supporters of rival Local Council I (LCI) chairperson candidates clashed over access to the voting area, prompting the deployment of the military to restore calm.

The incident occurred at St Paul Primary School in Kyebando Centre Zone, where residents had gathered to elect their LCI chairperson during the nationwide Local Council elections.

Witnesses said supporters of incumbent LCI chairperson Lazarus Kagimu, who is seeking re-election as an independent candidate, took control of the polling station entrance early in the morning. They allegedly restricted access, allowing only individuals they identified as their supporters to enter the voting area.

The move sparked protests from supporters of rival candidates, leading to a confrontation that quickly escalated into chaos. Security personnel, including the military, intervened to disperse the crowds and restore order, allowing the electoral process to resume.

No immediate reports of serious injuries were confirmed, while election officials and security agencies continued monitoring the situation to prevent further disruptions.

The move triggered protests from rival candidates, including National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer Hajji Musa Nsereko and independent candidate Samuel Mwanje, who accused the group of unlawfully preventing eligible voters from accessing the polling station.

The standoff left several residents stranded outside the polling area, with some unable to cast their ballots despite having their names called from the voters’ register.

Ronald, a resident of Kyebando Central Ward who said he has lived in the area for 19 years, condemned the incident, saying the actions of some candidates and their supporters had disenfranchised eligible voters and undermined the integrity of the electoral process.

“We came to vote peacefully, but some people were blocked from entering even after their names were called. That is unfair because everyone has a constitutional right to vote,” he said.

The standoff heightened tensions as residents struggled to gain access to the polling area, while supporters of the rival candidates argued over who should be allowed to enter. Police officers initially monitored the situation as efforts to defuse the dispute failed to yield an immediate resolution.

As the confrontation escalated, military personnel were deployed to restore order and regulate access to the polling station. Their intervention brought the situation under control, enabling the voting process to resume under heightened security.

Several residents accused some candidates’ agents of using their positions at the entrance to obstruct voters suspected of supporting rival candidates. They argued that access to the polling station should have been managed solely by election officials, warning that allowing partisan supporters to control entry undermined the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.

The incident was among a number of election-related disturbances reported in different parts of the country. However, voting in the Local Council I elections generally proceeded peacefully in most areas, with security agencies maintaining a visible presence to deter violence and ensure a smooth electoral process.

-Observer

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