The Wakiso District Returning Officer, Tolbert Musinguzi, has urged councillors and other candidates who were not declared winners in the recent elections to seek redress through the courts instead of resorting to violence or public disorder.
Musinguzi’s remarks followed complaints from candidates, including mayors and councillors across Wakiso District, who alleged electoral irregularities and raised concerns over delayed or undeclared results.
Speaking by phone, Musinguzi clarified that he is not personally responsible for incidents reported during the elections, noting that the management and declaration of results are handled by respective returning officers in different electoral areas.
“I am not personally responsible for what happened in the various electoral areas,” Musinguzi said. “The responsibility lies with the returning officers. I fulfilled my mandate and completed my work.”
He emphasized that any candidate dissatisfied with the electoral process should follow established legal procedures, noting that courts remain the proper avenue for resolving electoral disputes.
The remarks come amid heightened tension in parts of Wakiso District, particularly Nansana Municipality, where several councillors alleged mismanagement of the election process.
Led by the Speaker of Nansana Municipality, Ntale Kalema Quraish, a group of councillors whose results were not declared addressed the media, condemning the chaos that marred the elections and alleging that, despite winning at the polls, none of them were officially declared.
The councillors described the failure to declare results as a deliberate act intended to incite confusion and hostility among the public.
Safiina Kiyumba, one of the councillors denied victory, said the Electoral Commission’s actions exposed her and her family to hostility in their community.
“The situation has caused hatred against me and even my children in the areas where we live,” Kiyumba said.
Brian Ssebuliba, Deputy Mayor of Nabweru Town Council, who was also elected but not declared, alleged that security personnel took control of all polling stations in Nansana.
He revealed that he has already engaged legal counsel to challenge the outcome through the courts.
“I have already contacted my lawyers. We shall pursue this matter legally,” Ssebuliba said.
As disputes over the electoral process continue, Musinguzi reiterated his call for calm, urging aggrieved candidates and their supporters to respect the rule of law and allow the judicial system to address their grievances.