A razor-thin three-vote victory in the Kalagala Parish female councillor election sparked chaos at the Luwero District tally centre, with rival candidates trading blows as supporters rushed in to break up the confrontation, highlighting growing tensions around local government polls.
Tensions erupted at the Luweero District tally centre after National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Fatumah Nansubuga and Zaituni Nabitaka of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) clashed following the announcement of results in the Kalagala Parish female councillor race.
Nabitaka was declared the winner with 451 votes, just three more than Nansubuga, who garnered 448.
Social media clips circulating online show the two candidates exchanging fists and shoves shortly after the results were announced, as residents and election officials struggled to restore order.
The violence broke out moments after Luweero District Returning Officer Moses Kiconco declared Nabitaka the duly elected female councillor for Kalagala Parish at Kalagala Sub-County Council headquarters.
In the video footage, residents are seen rushing to separate the two women while others attempt to calm the increasingly charged crowd.
Nansubuga accused Nabitaka of rigging the election, allegations that Nabitaka dismissed, insisting that her victory was legitimate and reflected the will of voters.
The incident has added to growing concerns over the conduct of local council elections across the country, which have in recent days been marked by disputes, confusion, and sporadic violence at several polling stations.
