EC says loading mishap caused broken ballot box seal in Jinja

________________

The Electoral Commission in Jinja district has sought to reassure stakeholders after a seal on one of the metallic ballot boxes delivered to the district was found broken during the verification of electoral materials ahead of the January 15, 2026, general elections.

Jinja district returning officer Sarah Catherine Kabukaire dismissed suggestions of foul play, saying there was no ill motive behind the broken seal and explaining that such incidents, though rare, can occur during the loading and offloading of metallic ballot boxes fitted with plastic seals.

“This is very common during loading, although the incidents are few; that is why we want stakeholders to be present, and in such situations, we make replacements after recording their details and submit reports at headquarters,” Kabukaire said.

The concern arose on January 9, 2026, at the Electoral Commission premises in Buwenge Town Council as officials verified materials delivered for the polls.

During the exercise, Samuel Akalyaamawa, a contestant for the Kagoma North parliamentary seat, noticed that a seal on a ballot box meant for Buwenge Progressive Academy West A-N polling station was broken.

Jinja district returning officer Sarah Catherine Kabukaire speaking to journalists.

As Kabukaire displayed the delivered materials to stakeholders present, Akalyaamawa, who is also the district councillor for Buwenge town council, raised the issue, noting that similar concerns had been reported during the 2021 elections when allegations of electoral malpractices emerged.

George Mukisa, a resident and voter at the same polling station, supported Akalyaamawa’s concerns, claiming that results from the station had previously been photocopied.

However, armed with the official packaging list detailing all polling stations, Akalyaamawa said it was premature to conclude that the ballot box had been tampered with.

“We don’t want to rush into conclusion that the box was tampered with because the seal would have been destroyed during the process of loading or offloading, but even those who suspect shouldn’t be underrated,” he said.

He explained that because plastic seals are tied onto metallic boxes, friction during transportation could easily cause breakage.

“It is possible that it got broken in the process but at the same time, I have confidence in the EC because I least expected to be invited here to witness the process because they are not the ones who delivered the materials, there are stakeholders responsible and it is possible for someone with their agenda to connive and engage in malpractices,” he said.

Akalyaamawa added that candidates must remain vigilant and ensure transparency throughout the electoral process by mobilising voters, deploying trained polling agents and following results up to tally centres.

He said the National Unity Platform slogan of “kanonye, kalonde, kakuume“ was lawful as long as it was not exploited by individuals with violent intentions.

“Soliciting, protecting and following votes up to the tally centre is within the law. This is the transparency we need, and I want to thank the EC for exhibiting transparency because we have been able to witness the offloading process, because I have seen the materials where I vote from,” he said.

Other candidates in the Kagoma North race include the incumbent National Resistance Movement MP Alex Brandon Kintu, Forum for Democratic Change’s Dr Aggrey Batesaki, Dhikusooka Gyaviira and Bishop Paul Wandera, both of whom lost to Kintu in party primaries, as well as Isa Budhugo.

Those present during the verification exercise included Jinja district NRM administrative officer Irene Mawanda, Hadiya Kasimba of the Forum for Democratic Change and district internal security officer Andrew Kanywani.

Kabukaire called for calm, urging candidates and their supporters to avoid chaos before, during and after the polls.