It was gomesi, lipstick, wigs and action before false hope dawned in Mukono during the women's council elections on Thursday.
For a few fleeting moments, the men blended into the sea of colourful gomesi, headscarves and determined women patiently waiting to choose their leaders.
Then the masquerade unravelled.
The unusual drama unfolded at Kiwanga-Lwanda Cell in Goma Division, where two unidentified men were reportedly spotted in full feminine attire—traditional gomesi flowing to the ground, hijabs neatly wrapped, wigs carefully fitted and glasses completing the look.
To the untrained eye, they may have looked ready for a village celebration. To election officials, however, something did not quite add up.
The pair were arrested on the spot and handed over to police. Two other men believed to have been part of the scheme managed to slip away before they could be apprehended.
Elsewhere, at St Paul Catholic Parish polling station in Mukono Central Division, women queued peacefully under the watchful eyes of electoral officials as names were verified before voting began.
The calm was briefly interrupted when Wantoni Police arrested three more men accused of disrupting the exercise.
Election officials alleged that some had attempted to take part in the women-only vote, among them the husband of one of the contestants, Lady Florence Nabuguzi.
Two youths, identified only as Didiz and Gideon, who were reportedly campaigning for a National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, were also escorted away by residents with the help of police after allegedly causing disturbances.
Away from the theatrical disguises, the elections also produced familiar political disputes.
At Nama 2 Village in Nama Sub-county, independent candidate Florence Namyalo dramatically withdrew from the race, alleging serious irregularities.
She claimed that voters from neighbouring Buyuki Village had appeared on Nama 2's register and accused election officials of refusing to hear her complaints before declaring Betty Nasaze elected unopposed.
"We were denied a fair hearing despite raising concerns about the voters' register," Namyalo said.
In Kiwanga-Lwanda Village, Florence Nakyeyune celebrated victory and thanked residents for entrusting her with leadership.
Sherina Nansubuga, elected in Kavule Cell, pledged to champion women's and children's rights, intensify efforts against gender-based violence and defilement, and encourage women to embrace government livelihood programmes.
Suzan Mayanja, elected in Kitega Village, promised to work closely with residents and faithfully serve the community.
Mukono Central Division Electoral Officer Robert Sekirya described the elections as largely peaceful despite the isolated incidents involving men who allegedly tried to sneak into a poll reserved for women.
By press time, police had not disclosed the identities of the arrested suspects, and investigations were still underway.
