UNAIDS warns HIV could resurge as funding cuts threaten decades of progress
Launching the 2026 Global AIDS Update at the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, July 27, UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima said the world was at a critical point, with scientific advances bringing the end of AIDS within reach.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima speaks during the opening ceremony of the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 27, 2026. (Photo by Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP)
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⬇️📰 Scroll down for earlier updates
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01:08 PM
📍Mbale City
🗳️ Independent candidate wins Duka Cell LC1 Seat
Independent candidate Hassan Mabeli has won the Duka Cell LC1 Chairperson elections in Mbale Northern City Division.
(Reporting and photo by Paul Watala)
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01:00 PM
📍Lira City
🗳️ Aconga wins Jinja Camp A Cell LC1 seat
The situation at Jinja Camp A Cell in Lira City West Division returned to normal following the deployment of heavy security during the LC1 elections.
Rafael Ocen Aconga, son of the late former Lira City West Mayor Mike Ogwal Aconga, was elected LC1 Chairperson after securing 333 votes, defeating Uganda People's Congress (UPC) candidate Tom Aguma, who polled 265 votes.
Four other candidates withdrew from the race at the polling station.
Following his victory, Aconga, accompanied by supporters, held a procession through Juba to the City West Division headquarters, where he announced his executive team.
(Reporting and photos by Joseph Ekol)
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12:48 PM Tensions characterised the LC1 elections in Kisanyarazi Village, Hima Town Council, Kasese District, as residents expressed dissatisfaction with the incumbent chairperson, accusing him of promoting segregation and mismanaging community resources, among other grievances. (Reporting and photos by Samuel Amanyire)
📍Kasese District
🗳️ NRM candidate wins Kisanyarazi LC1 Seat
NRM flag bearer Haruna Kabagambe emerged the winner with 106 votes, defeating independent candidate Tumwebaze William, the incumbent chairperson, who garnered 89 votes.
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12:40 PM (Reporting and photo by Wilson Asiimwe)
📍Hoima
🗳️ Independent candidate wins Hoima Central Market LC1 Seat
Independent candidate Akugizibwe Moses Alonso has won the LC1 Chairperson race for Hoima Central Market.
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12:35 PM
📍Mbuya, Nakawa division
🗳️ Mwesigwa wins Mbuya II Zone 7 LC1 Seat
Amos Mwesigwa has been elected Chairperson of Mbuya II Zone 7 in Nakawa Division on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket after securing 117 votes.
Mwesigwa defeated Noah Ramathan Ismail, who polled 37 votes, while Balikowa Fred and David Busulwa each received three votes.
Speaking after his victory, Mwesigwa pledged to work with all residents regardless of their political, religious, or cultural backgrounds, promising to deliver quality and effective service to the community.
(Reporting by Simon Peter Tumwine)
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12:28 PM
📍Arua
🗳️ Delayed start as voting materials arrive late in Arua
Voting at Opevu Village, Ajono Parish, Vurra subcounty in Arua District was delayed after voting materials failed to arrive by 7:00am.
The presiding officer, Lucky Juruani, arrived with the voting materials at 10:20am, allowing preparations for the exercise to begin.
According to the register, only 120 voters were registered at the polling station. Juruani informed residents that only those whose names appear on the register would be allowed to vote.
Three candidates are contesting for the LC1 Chairperson seat: incumbent Obatre Kilioni on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, and independent candidates Fabiano Odupiyo and Oresto Beyo.
There were several complaints from residents over missing names in the register
(Reporting by King Bosco Franco)
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12:22 PM
📍Gomba
🚨 Violence halts LC1 elections in Gomba
The LC1 Chairperson election in Kiziba Village, Gomba District, has been suspended following a violent attack that left two people dead and several others injured.
Lauben Muhabuzi, an aspirant contesting on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, was among those injured in the attack and is currently receiving medical attention after sustaining serious injuries.
Two of Muhabuzi's associates, identified as Ddiriisa Nsubuga and another victim, died in the incident, while three others sustained injuries during the attack.
The injured were rushed to Kanoni Health Centre IV for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to Gombe Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
The Electoral Commission suspended the voting exercise indefinitely, as security personnel were deployed to the area to restore calm.
According to Katonga Regional Police spokesperson, police have launched a manhunt for the suspects and urged residents to remain calm as investigations continue.
(Reporting and photo by Simon Ssekidde)
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11:49 AM
📍Mbale City
FDC candidate wins Lwakhakha LC1 seat in Mbale
FDC candidate Siraji Luledi has won the Lwakhakha LC1 Chairperson seat in Mbale Industrial City Division after securing 129 votes.
The NRM candidate received five votes, while the National Unity Platform (NUP) did not participate in the election after boycotting the process.
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11:49 AM (Reporting and photos by Maria Wamala)
📍Kanyanya parish, Kawempe, Kampala
Voters turn up for Kanyanya Parish LC1 elections
Residents of Kanyanya Parish have turned up to participate in the election of their LC1 Chairperson.
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11:36 AM
📍Moyo district
Voter verification underway in Moyo
The voter verification exercise is ongoing at Metu Quarter Village in Moyo Town Council, Moyo District, ahead of the LC I Chairperson elections.
(Reporting and Photos by Tasia Doreen)
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11:32 AM
📍Ndeeba, Lubaga Division, Kampala
🗳️ Ssemwogerere wins Nsiike 1 LC1 Seat
Vincent Ssemwogerere has been elected LC I Chairperson for Nsiike 1 Zone in Ndeeba, Lubaga Division.
Ssemwogerere, who previously served as vice chairman, defeated several candidates, including the incumbent Muhammad Saali, to secure the seat.
(Reporting and photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)
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11:32 AM
📍Yumbe district
🗳️ Voter verification underway in Yumbe
The voter verification exercise is ongoing at Machagana Cell in Yumbe Town Council, Yumbe District, as residents prepare to elect their LC1 Chairperson.
(Reporting by Adam Gule)
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11:27 AM
📍Soroti City
🚨 Tensions flare at Soroti City polling station
Police, the Anti-Riot Unit, and military personnel have been deployed to Moru Apesur Primary School in Soroti City after supporters of rival LC1 candidates reportedly turned rowdy.
The polling centre, which serves four cells under Kengere Ward, witnessed physical confrontations at around 11:00am as residents gathered for the elections.
Concerns have also been raised over alleged irregularities in the voters' register, with claims that names of non-existent residents appear on some cell registers. Electoral officials are addressing the complaints.
Kengere Ward has emerged as one of the most tense areas in Soroti City during the LC I elections.
(Reporting by Godfrey Ojore).
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11:20 AM
📍Hoima City
🗳️ Voting yet to begin in Hoima City
Voting has yet to commence at Bank Cell in Hoima City, where residents are gathering and preparing to line up for the election of their LC1 Chairperson.
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11:18 AM
📍Moroto
🗳️ Late arrivals delay voting in Moroto
Voting at Kakoliye Village polling station in Moroto Municipality was delayed due to the late arrival of election officials and materials.
(Reporting and photos by Olandason Wanyama)
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10:59 AM Residents of Nakwero A Cell, Kimwanyi Ward, in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, wait for their names to be read during the LC I Chairperson elections. (Photo by Francis Emorut) Residents of Nakwero A Cell, Kimwanyi Ward, in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, stand on culverts as they wait for their names to be read during the LC1 Chairperson elections. (Photo by Francis Emorut) Residents of Bukasa Zone in Kirinya Parish, Bweyogerere Division, have turned out in large numbers to cast their votes in the LC1 Chairperson elections.
📍 Nakwero, Wakiso district
🗳️ Voter verification underway in Kira Municipality
The voter verification exercise is underway at Nakwero A Cell, Kimwanyi Ward, in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, where residents have turned up to elect their LC I Chairperson.
As Electoral Commission officials read out the names of eligible voters, some residents are standing while others are seated on nearby culverts awaiting verification.
The race in Nakwero A Cell is between Rosemary Asiimwe of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) and Patrick Semakula of the Democratic Party (DP).
(Reporting and photos by Francis Emorut)
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10:47 AM
📍 Bweyogerere
🗳️ High voter turnout reported in Bweyogerere
(Reporting by Alfred Ochwo)
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10:35 AM
📍 Lira City
🚨 Woman assaulted at Lira City polling station
A woman has reportedly been assaulted at Ireda Central Park Cell polling station (All Saints Church Obangpewany) in Lira City during an altercation involving supporters of rival candidates.
The contest is between NRM candidate Moses Oyena and independent candidate Ramathan Otim. The polling station has more than 800 registered voters.
Security has been heightened, with more than 60 personnel from the Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), and Uganda Police Force deployed to maintain law and order.
(Reporting and photos by Joseph Ekol in Lira City)
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10:24 AM
📍 Entebbe
🗳️ Delayed start in Entebbe
Several polling stations in Entebbe remain quiet, with voting yet to commence in many areas as residents await the start of the LC1 elections.
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10:05 AM
📍 Luzira, Nakawa East, Kampala
🗳️ Strong turnout as Luzira residents vote for LC1 leaders
Residents of Panda PL Zone in Luzira have turned up in large numbers to participate in the election of their LC1 Chairperson.
Rukia Nalwoga, a resident of the area, said they are grateful for the opportunity to choose leaders who will contribute to the development of their community.
One of the contestants, Joseph Tomusange, said he is ready to accept the outcome, noting that it is the residents' responsibility to choose their leaders.
Joseph Tomusange, one of the contestants in the LC1 Chairperson elections. (Photo by Huzaima Kaweesa)
Residents of Panda PL Zone in Luzira check their names in the register ahead of participating in the LC1 elections. (Photo by Huzaima Kaweesa)
(Photos by Huzaima Kaweesa)__________________
10:00 AM
📍 Buikwe district
🗳️ Verification exercise underway
Voter verification is ongoing at Lugala Village, Lugoba Parish in Buikwe District, as residents prepare to take part in the Local Council 1 elections.
(Photos by Simon Peter Tuwmine)
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9:28 AM
📍 Mbale City
🚨 Tensions reported in Mbale City
Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Yaya Were.
Reports from the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Yaya Were, in Mbale City indicate that police are responding to disturbances involving groups of youth who are protesting the register verification exercise in Nakaloke and Namunsi areas of the Northern City Division.
(Photos by Paul Watala)
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9:19 AM
📍 Lira City
Security deployed as chaos reported
Security personnel are patrolling areas in Lira City as tensions rise, with reports of chaos emerging at some polling stations. The situation was reported at Jinja Camp A Cell.
(Credit: Joseph Ekol)
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9:19 AM
🗳️ Voters urged to arrive early
Voters are encouraged to arrive at their polling stations early to verify their names in the Village Residents Register and follow guidance from Electoral Commission officials as they participate in the election of their Village (LC1) Chairperson.
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8:56 AM
📅 Programme of the Day
Here is the schedule of key activities for today's Village (LC1) Chairperson elections across Uganda.
(Courtesy: X/@UgandaEC)
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8:49 AM
🗳️ Electoral Commission calls on eligible voters to participate
The Electoral Commission has called on all eligible voters whose names appear in the Village Residents Register to take part in today's Village (LC1) Chairperson elections, taking place today.
Under Section 123(2) of the Local Governments Act, Cap. 243, voters will elect their Village (LC I) Chairperson by lining up behind their preferred candidate, the candidate's representative, portrait, or symbol.
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8:00 AM
🗳️ LOCAL COUNCIL 1 (LC1) POLLS 🇺🇬
☀️ Good morning Uganda! 🇺🇬
📍 Welcome to our live coverage of Uganda's Local Council 1 (LC1) elections happening today throughout different parts of the country.
All is set for the LC1 elections taking place in all 71,214 villages for LC1 leaders.
Throughout the day, we will bring you real-time updates from polling stations across the country, including voter turnout, the opening and closing of polling centres, electoral developments, security updates, and results as they emerge.
(Courtesy: x/@UgandaEC)