Tension, political accusations, and emotional scenes dominated the announcement of Luweero District LCV chairperson and local government election results, as winners were declared amid claims of widespread irregularities.
Returning Officer Moses Kiconco declared incumbent LCV chairperson Erasto Kibirango of the National Unity Platform (NUP) the winner with 35,743 votes, defeating National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Rashidah Birungi, who garnered 28,288 votes.
The announcement followed hours of uncertainty and heated exchanges between rival supporters, each loudly claiming victory.
Despite being officially declared winner, Kibirango left the tally centre without addressing the media or supporters, visibly shaken and teary-eyed.
Luweero Woman Member of Parliament Brenda Nabukenya, who escorted him, said he was deeply disturbed by the tense events surrounding the declaration.
“It’s very unfortunate that our people fought in the 1980s thinking they would bring rule of law and democracy, but there is no respect for any of that today,” Nabukenya said.
The Electoral Commission is involved in rigging elections from the top to the bottom. A government that has been in power for 40 years, you start rigging elections for councillors? This speaks loudly."
Katikamu South MP Hassan Kirumira Lukalidde and Bamunanika MP Ronald Sekitoleko, present at the tally centre, also condemned what they described as widespread vote-rigging tendencies, including at councillor level.
The atmosphere at the tally centre remained highly charged, prompting heavy deployment of security personnel to prevent physical confrontations.
Supporters exchanged insults, chanted party slogans, and accused each other of fraud, forcing repeated police interventions to restore order.
Emotions ran high for some candidates as well. NUP’s Faridah Najjuma broke down in tears moments after being declared councillor for Luweero Town Council and Luweero Sub-county.
“The situation has been very hard. They have been declaring wrong people. NRM has done a lot of things to change results. I am crying because I am finally declared,” Najjuma said.
Elsewhere in the region, NRM’s incumbent Nakaseke District chairperson Ignatius Koomu Kiwanuka retained his seat after polling 49,516 votes against independent candidate Kakooza Frederick’s 8,720.
Nakasongola District witnessed a political upset as NRM’s Semanda Rogers Kulaba defeated incumbent Samuel Kigula, polling 23,727 votes to Kigula’s 13,461.
