Local Council I (LC1) elections in parts of Mukono District were disrupted on Tuesday after violence broke out at several polling stations, forcing election officials to halt voting in affected areas.
The most serious incident was reported at Bunakijja Village in Katosi Town Council, where polling was canceled following clashes between supporters of Democratic Party (DP) candidate David Mugabo and National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Haruna Lukoma.
Witnesses said voting had initially started peacefully, with election officials reading out names of registered voters before allowing them into the polling area.
However, tension reportedly escalated after two Toyota “Drone” vehicles and a Noor vehicle arrived carrying a group of men whose faces were covered.
The men, who witnesses alleged had travelled from Wantoni Trading Centre in Mukono Municipality, reportedly disrupted the exercise. During voter verification, one of the individuals allegedly grabbed the voters’ register and fled into a nearby coffee plantation.
The incident sparked clashes, with the group accused of attacking supporters of Mugabo. UPDF soldiers deployed at the polling station reportedly intervened in an attempt to restore calm.
Amid the chaos, the presiding election official was allegedly dragged into one of the vehicles by armed men and driven away.
Authorities had not confirmed the reported abduction by press time.
Several people sustained injuries during the violence, including an unidentified woman who suffered severe facial injuries after she was allegedly bitten on the lips. She was rushed to a nearby health facility for treatment.
Supporters of Mugabo accused political actors of attempting to influence the outcome of the election through intimidation, describing the violence as part of recurring challenges during local elections.
Mugabo questioned why individuals he described as bouncers were present at the polling station despite the deployment of security personnel.
“Why should anyone bring bouncers to an LC1 election when security agencies are already present to maintain law and order?” Mugabo asked.
However, Lukoma denied involvement in the violence, instead accusing DP supporters of hiring the individuals responsible for disrupting the election.
The Electoral Commission and security agencies had not issued an official statement on the incident by the time of publication, and it remained unclear whether fresh voting would be organised at the affected station.
Other areas in Mukono also reported disruptions, including Nantabulirwa Cell in Mukono Municipality, Namuyenje Village in Nakisunga Sub-county, Golomolo Village and Gonve, where residents reportedly failed to vote because of election-related disorder.
Despite the incidents, voting proceeded peacefully in most parts of Mukono District, with election officials completing the exercise without major disruptions.
