The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that election officials implicated in malpractice during Butebo District’s LC5 elections will face dismissal and criminal prosecution, as the district prepares for a repeat vote.
Electoral Commission Commissioner Stephen Tashobya said Butebo is the only district in Uganda conducting a repeat LC5 poll, describing the exercise as costly and avoidable.
“This is a very expensive exercise,” Tashobya said. “Hundreds of millions of shillings are being spent on redeploying election officials, security personnel, vehicles, and logistics—all due to the mistakes or recklessness of some people.”
He cautioned that ongoing investigations would extend beyond administrative action.
“It is not just a matter of losing jobs. Those responsible must be prosecuted,” he said. “Tampering with election materials or destroying them is an electoral offence, and it taints not only the Commission but the state.”
Tashobya urged police, the Attorney General, and other investigative bodies to follow up thoroughly, noting that prosecution would help end impunity in Uganda’s electoral process.
“Those who sabotaged the election should serve as an example. There is no room for indiscipline in the Electoral Commission,” he added, emphasizing that convicted offenders could face jail terms and permanent disqualification from future election work.
The LC5 elections, held nationwide on January 22, were deferred in Butebo following reports of violence, voter intimidation, and widespread fraud.
Detailing alleged irregularities, Joseph Gilbert Omugit, district speaker and councillor for Kanyum Sub-county, cited multiple breaches of electoral procedures.
“There were ballot boxes already pre-staffed and delivered to polling stations under security escort,” Omugit said. “We also found broken seals, missing ballot books, and declaration forms.”
He alleged that some presiding officers were instructed to tear ballot papers and invalidate votes.
“This was very absurd. Presiding officers were used to destroy ballots, and that undermined the integrity of the entire process,” Omugit said.
Omugit also raised concerns over security lapses, claiming that despite the presence of UPDF soldiers, many were left idle.
“We had nearly 70 soldiers brought here but left idle at a school. Meanwhile, voters were beaten and injured, and some suspects were released on police bond without appearing in court,” he said.
He further noted irregularities in the transportation of election materials, adding that the combined failures eroded public confidence in the process.
Ahead of the repeat poll on Tuesday, the EC said senior officers have been deployed to supervise the elections, expressing optimism that increased oversight and security will ensure a peaceful and credible outcome.
