Politics
EC to deploy over 100 officials for Kikuube LC5 byelection
The byelection follows the death of the incumbent district chairperson, Peter Banura, on April 4, 2026, in a road crash. Banura, a son of Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza was knocked dead by a speeding taxi in Butyamba-Kamusunsi village, Kiziranfumbi town council, along the Hoima-Fort Portal highway.
(Seated) NRM's commissioners Alisemera (left) Brig. Gen. Tingira Irumba (2nd left) Dr Seninde, NRM’s Director of Mobilisation (centre) Kikuube RDC Agalia (right) posing for a photo with officials after meeting security. (Credit: Peter Abaanabasazi)
By: Peter Abaanabasazi, Journalist @New Vision
_________________
The Electoral Commission (EC) will deploy more than 100 officials to oversee the Kikuube District LC5 by-election scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026.
The byelection follows the death of the incumbent district chairperson, Peter Banura, on April 4, 2026, in a road crash. Banura, a son of Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza was knocked dead by a speeding taxi in Butyamba-Kamusunsi village, Kiziranfumbi town council, along the Hoima-Fort Portal highway.
According to Emmanuel Twine, the Kikuube district returning officer, all preparations for the election have been finalised.
Speaking to journalists shortly after a closed-door security meeting held on June 15, 2026, Twine said the campaign period, which started on May 28, officially ended on June 15.
The meeting was chaired by Kikuube resident district commissioner Godwin Angalia and attended by Kikuube national security task force chief Brig. Gen. Omero Tingira Irumba Ateenyi, NRM director of mobilisation, Dr Rosemary Seninde, and NRM Electoral Commissioner Jane Alisemera, among others.
Twine said two candidates, Paddy Kisembo of the NRM and Fenekansi Timanyire of the National Unity Platform (NUP), were nominated for the by-election.
He noted that the candidates conducted peaceful campaigns and that no major incidents were registered during the campaign period.
Twine said voting will take place on Thursday and that district election officials will be supported by more than 100 EC personnel, including commissioners from Kampala and the region.
He explained that 60 EC officers will be deployed as supervisors, with each supervisor overseeing five polling stations.
The meeting was chaired by Kikuube resident district commissioner Godwin Angalia and attended by Kikuube national security task force chief Brig. Gen. Omero Tingira Irumba Ateenyi, NRM director of mobilisation, Dr Rosemary Seninde, and NRM Electoral Commissioner Jane Alisemera, among others.
Twine said two candidates, Paddy Kisembo of the NRM and Fenekansi Timanyire of the National Unity Platform (NUP), were nominated for the by-election.
He noted that the candidates conducted peaceful campaigns and that no major incidents were registered during the campaign period.
Twine said voting will take place on Thursday and that district election officials will be supported by more than 100 EC personnel, including commissioners from Kampala and the region.
He explained that 60 EC officers will be deployed as supervisors, with each supervisor overseeing five polling stations.
Twine added that some election materials had already been received, while ballot papers were expected to arrive on Tuesday, June 16.
He assured voters that the EC would conduct a free and fair election and confirmed that Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) would be used during the exercise.
He said election officials responsible for operating the kits had already been trained and were ready for deployment.
"All EC vehicles from different districts are going to be deployed here, so we do not expect to face any challenges with transportation, so voters in hard-to-reach areas should not get worried, the voting materials will reach them on time" he said.
Angalia said a command centre had been established at the Electoral Commission offices to coordinate all security deployments.
He noted that district police commanders from across the region would be deployed in Kikuube on polling day, with each polling station manned by two police officers.
According to Agalia, each subcounty will be supervised by a district police commander.
“No self-deployment is allowed; all district police commanders in the region are going to be in Kikuube, and each subcounty will have its commander and deployment of any security officer will be recommended by the command centre,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Omero Tingira Irumba Ateenyi warned against election-related violence and called for peaceful conduct during the polls.
“We will deploy forces to ensure voters cast their ballots freely. Those planning to cause chaos should know that we are. prepared,” he said.
Dr Seninde urged voters to participate in the election and turn up in large numbers to exercise their democratic right.
She said Kikuube is traditionally an NRM stronghold and expressed confidence that the party would secure victory.
Seninde added that achieving the party's target would depend on a high voter turnout.
According to Electoral Commission data, Kikuube district has 330 polling stations and 144,999 registered voters.
He assured voters that the EC would conduct a free and fair election and confirmed that Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) would be used during the exercise.
He said election officials responsible for operating the kits had already been trained and were ready for deployment.
"All EC vehicles from different districts are going to be deployed here, so we do not expect to face any challenges with transportation, so voters in hard-to-reach areas should not get worried, the voting materials will reach them on time" he said.
Angalia said a command centre had been established at the Electoral Commission offices to coordinate all security deployments.
He noted that district police commanders from across the region would be deployed in Kikuube on polling day, with each polling station manned by two police officers.
According to Agalia, each subcounty will be supervised by a district police commander.
“No self-deployment is allowed; all district police commanders in the region are going to be in Kikuube, and each subcounty will have its commander and deployment of any security officer will be recommended by the command centre,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Omero Tingira Irumba Ateenyi warned against election-related violence and called for peaceful conduct during the polls.
“We will deploy forces to ensure voters cast their ballots freely. Those planning to cause chaos should know that we are. prepared,” he said.
Dr Seninde urged voters to participate in the election and turn up in large numbers to exercise their democratic right.
She said Kikuube is traditionally an NRM stronghold and expressed confidence that the party would secure victory.
Seninde added that achieving the party's target would depend on a high voter turnout.
According to Electoral Commission data, Kikuube district has 330 polling stations and 144,999 registered voters.