Tension and violence erupted in Kyazanga Town Council on Friday as the exercise to update voter registers ahead of village and parish chairperson elections descended into chaos, with residents accusing rival political camps of hiring gangs to disrupt the process and intimidate voters.
The incident occurred in Kanaakulya Zone, Kyazanga Town Council, where residents had gathered at the town council offices to verify and update their voter details ahead of the upcoming local council elections.
According to eyewitnesses, a confrontation broke out between supporters of the incumbent Kanaakulya Zone Chairperson, David Ssebuguzi, and those of his challenger, Hakim Muwonge, following disagreements over the voter registration exercise.
The two groups traded accusations, with each camp alleging that the other had hired individuals to cause violence and prevent some residents from participating in the registration process.
The situation reportedly escalated when unidentified individuals allegedly blocked access to the registration area, allowing entry only to people they approved.
One resident who witnessed the incident said some people were denied access to the registration point, while others were allegedly assaulted during the confrontation.
"People came here peacefully to confirm their names, but the situation changed when some individuals started controlling who could enter. Some residents were beaten, and one person collapsed after being assaulted," the resident said.
The chaos forced the temporary suspension of the voter registration exercise after police intervened to restore order.
Kyazanga Police, led by the Officer in Charge (OC), Kawuuma Pamera, arrived at the scene, dispersed the crowds and halted the exercise.
Residents accused incumbent chairperson David Ssebuguzi of being behind the alleged intimidation, claiming he had brought suspected hired bodyguards from Nyendo in Masaka to disrupt the process.
However, the allegations could not independently be verified.
Speaking to journalists, Hakim Muwonge, who is challenging Ssebuguzi for the Kanaakulya Zone chairperson seat, urged the Electoral Commission not to cancel the elections over what he described as deliberate attempts to create chaos.
"We request the Electoral Commission not to postpone or cancel the elections. Some people are trying to create confusion so that the elections are called off and they remain in power," Muwonge said.
Muwonge further alleged that the violence was intended to intimidate voters and prevent some residents from participating in the democratic process.
Efforts to obtain a comment from David Ssebuguzi regarding the allegations were unsuccessful, as repeated calls to his known phone contacts went unanswered.
The Electoral Commission is currently finalising preparations for village and parish-level elections across the country, including updating voter registers to ensure that all eligible voters are able to participate.
Kyazanga Town Council in Lwengo District has previously been described by residents as a hotspot for political disagreements during election periods, with local leaders often calling for calm and peaceful participation in electoral activities.
Police have urged residents and candidates to avoid violence and allow every eligible voter to freely participate in the electoral process.
