Court releases 34 youths held over election-related offences

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Thirty-four of the 110 youths arrested on January 19, 2026, in connection with polling-day disturbances and other public order offences have been granted bail by the City Hall Magistrate’s Court.

The presiding magistrate, Nicholas Aisu, on Thursday (January 29) ordered each of the suspects to pay a cash bail of sh100,000 before securing their release.

Other youths were charged at the Nateete and Rubaga Magistrate’s Courts following their arrest between polling day on January 15 and January 17, also in connection with alleged election violence. Some of the suspects were picked from various areas within Kampala Central Division.

The youths face charges of being a common nuisance, taking part in an unlawful assembly, obstructing police officers on night patrol, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

They were subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison as investigations into their cases continue.

The suspects denied the charges and, before their release, made bail applications through their lawyer, Kakuru Tumusiime.

A total of 40 suspects were charged before the City Hall Court, while 70 were arraigned before the Nateete and Rubaga Magistrate’s Courts.

Prosecution alleges that on polling day, January 15, 2026, at Quarter Zone in Kamwokya, the accused persons, with intent to carry out a common purpose, assembled in a manner that caused residents in the neighbourhood to fear a breach of the peace.

They are also accused of inconveniencing members of the public by blocking roads and burning car tyres in Komamboga while chanting that "NRM rigged votes".

Additional charges include undue influence of voters by inducing people to vote for NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, and obstruction of voters on polling day.

The suspects are expected to return to court on February 23, 2026, for the hearing of their case to commence.