Protests erupted across multiple villages in Nakaseke District during the National Resistance Movement (NRM) elections for village and LC1 chairperson flag bearers after many supporters discovered their names missing from the voter register.
The affected areas include Kololo, Mpanga, Nakyesawa, Butuuti, Katuugo, Katakala, Katooke, Kakinzi, and Mazimalungi A and B, among others.
According to Paul Tandeka, NRM’s District Registrar, hundreds of individuals—including some from opposition parties—showed up to vote but were turned away due to not being listed on the party register. This triggered unrest in some areas, with frustrated supporters attempting to disrupt the process and insisting on their right to vote. While some polling stations managed to proceed, others had to postpone elections to Wednesday in an effort to ease tensions.
At Katooke and Kakinzi, police were called in to restore order as angry residents demanded to vote despite not being on the official register. In Kakinzi, elections continued under heavy security, with Francis Beizire declared the NRM flagbearer after defeating incumbent Fred Komushana Mabunda by 54 to 16 votes.
In Katooke village, Wakyato sub-county, Abdullah Ssentongo emerged victorious amid strong opposition from rival Brian Ndawula, whose supporters were excluded due to name omissions from the voter list.
Meanwhile, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, State Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, was elected unopposed as NRM chairperson for Bulamazzi village in Kito sub-county. He attributed the unrest to individuals who missed registration or sought to manipulate the elections by pushing weaker candidates. He emphasized that allowing only registered voters to participate helped maintain order and reduce violence.
