The Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, has claimed that security personnel intercepted 30,000 pre-ticked ballot papers intended for the Kawempe North by-election.
Speaking at a polling station in Kawempe, Barugahara alleged that the National Unity Platform (NUP) was behind the scheme, aiming to manipulate the electoral process.
"We realized that NUP printed the pre-ticked ballots and planned to stuff them into the boxes. That is why we spent the night here to ensure transparency," he stated.
However, he reassured voters that the electoral process was proceeding without irregularities.
"The ballot boxes have arrived without any signs of tampering. They were unsealed in the presence of all candidate agents, and voting is ongoing peacefully at Mbogo Polling Station," he said.
Barugahara expressed confidence in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Faridah Nambi, stating that the party had conducted thorough mobilisation.
"This time, NRM will win with trust. Even in 2021, the late Muhammad Ssegirinya did not win by a big margin. We went door to door to secure votes, and President Museveni personally campaigned for Nambi."
He urged the youth to refrain from engaging in election-related violence.