News
Three brothers arrested in Gulu city for fighting at polling station
“They never registered to vote in this village, but they came demanding that we re-open the voter registration process for them to vote for their favourite candidate,” Lakareber told police.
The trio, identified as Ocan Kizito Obur, James Odur and one Emmy, were arrested by security personnel and taken to Laroo-Pece division Police Station. (Credit: Peter Labeja)
By: Peter Labeja, Journalist @New Vision
GULU - Three brothers were arrested by security personnel in Gulu city for allegedly starting a fistfight at a polling station during the village chairperson elections in Laroo-Pece Division.
Security personnel comprising the Police, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Uganda Prisons Service were on July 28, 2026, called in to disperse a group of youths who demanded to be registered by the Electoral Commission presiding officer, Tracy Lakareber.
“They never registered to vote in this village, but they came demanding that we re-open the voter registration process for them to vote for their favourite candidate,” Lakareber told police.
Voting by lining up commenced after security restored calm at about 2:30 pm. As officials counted the final line behind the leading candidate, incumbent chairperson Collin Opiyo, the three brothers allegedly started a fight, disrupting the vote count midway.
The trio, identified as Ocan Kizito Obur, James Odur and one Emmy, were arrested by security personnel and taken to Laroo-Pece division Police Station.
Peter Banya, the deputy resident city commissioner for Laroo-Pece division, oversaw the security operation. He then instructed Electoral Commission officials to tally the votes already counted and declare the results.
The trio, identified as Ocan Kizito Obur, James Odur and one Emmy, were arrested by security personnel and taken to Laroo-Pece division Police Station.
Peter Banya, the deputy resident city commissioner for Laroo-Pece division, oversaw the security operation. He then instructed Electoral Commission officials to tally the votes already counted and declare the results.
The polling station returning officer, Tracy Lakareber, subsequently declared National Resistance Movement candidate Collin Opiyo the winner after he polled 129 votes.
Independent candidate Dick Okeny received 43 votes, while another independent candidate, Collins Obote, garnered 15 votes.
Opiyo told his supporters that he would unite the cell and promote development for all residents.
Keliki Stella Apili, the Pabaya cell secretary for the women's council, condemned the violence at the polling station and urged the youth to focus on developing the area.
She also commended the security personnel for intervening in time.
Independent candidate Dick Okeny received 43 votes, while another independent candidate, Collins Obote, garnered 15 votes.
Opiyo told his supporters that he would unite the cell and promote development for all residents.
Keliki Stella Apili, the Pabaya cell secretary for the women's council, condemned the violence at the polling station and urged the youth to focus on developing the area.
She also commended the security personnel for intervening in time.