NUP youth disqualified from Kampala village elections over 'egaali' brigades

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The National Unity Platform (NUP) party youth in Kampala central have been disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) officials from taking part in the ongoing countrywide youth structure elections over the formation of private security brigades commonly known as 'egaali'.

Among those disqualified was Gerald Nviiri who had been touted as a potential winner for Soweto youth chairperson in the elections that were marred by chaos.

“I was thrown out by Simon Dickens Amandi, who disqualified me under unclear circumstances, insisting that I had brought non-bona fide voters to the polling station,” Nviiri said.

"EC officials came with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) youth at the polling station and started ordering us to join the voting queue, which we rejected because they came with a concocted voters register," he insisted.

Nviiri, a resident of Soweto village in Kawempe south, Kawempe division in Kampala, was disqualified on the grounds that he appeared with rented goons to disrupt the electoral process.

“Nviiri mobilised violent youth who came to threaten security at the polling station and by the time they were lining up. When it started, I had to call off the exercise and disqualify the NUP candidates,” Amandi said.

During one of the public rallies, NUP party president Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, directed party leaders across the country to form vigilante groups, referring to them as ‘egaali,’ to protect candidates and safeguard votes ahead of the 2026 protest vote.

In Kampala central division at Nakivubo parish, chaos erupted where the NRM supporters clashed with NUP youth who beat up candidates under the watchful eye of Police officers.

“Joel Kasiriivu was stoned on the head where he sustained injuries before being rushed to the medical facility while his head profusely bled,” Deus Musafiiri, who had turned up to vote, said.

Brenda Nakamate, the Kimwanyi zone aspirant, expressed frustration and disappointment at the decision, saying that they had followed all the necessary procedures and guidelines set by the party.

“We can’t accept the outcome and the decision of the EC officials because they showed that they were supporting only NRM candidates who are not even residents in our area. We asked for the register of the members but they could not be identified,” Nakamate disclosed.

Abdulmalic Kimera, a resident of Katale zone who was contesting as secretary for publicity alleged that he was disqualified when he complained over Trinity High School students whom they accused of having been ferried to assist rival candidates.

“This isn't an election, it's an operation. EC's failure to manage youth elections raises serious concerns about general election in 2026. Young people, this is a wake-up call. You've seen the flaws, and now it's time to take a stand against this blatant impunity with a protest vote,” Kimera threatened.

Timothy Mulwana, the Busia zone aspirant said that there was not even reading out of names of those who had contested.

“I was beaten and I was not even given time to speak, " Mulwana, who was nursing wounds, said.

Among other candidates who were disqualified from the exercise were Eria Kato from Makerere III zone in Wandegeya parish and Wilberforce Ssenyange, who had contested as youth chairperson.

The disqualification has sparked widespread discontent among the local council authorities and affected aspirants, who claimed that the process was unfair and lacked transparency.

Salim Kiyingi, the Kiwanyi zone chairperson in Katanga parish, condemned electoral violence that he said was met by security operatives, police and the army in uniform in broad-day light.

“We woke up at 8:00am with youth, but I was shocked to see the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier Winfred Opole and OC Wandegeya Police Station Godfrey Mugisha, who brought youth from Mulago to disrupt us in Katanga,” Kiyingi said.

These are two people who brought a fake register with people who were not known in my village, he added.

“The duo led by Amandi, who was a presiding officer, dismissed the NUP contestants, saying that there was a recommendation from above that they should not participate in the youth election,” Kiyingi insisted.

EC responds

When contacted, EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi confirmed the development, saying those disqualified had flouted electoral laws that were outlined by EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama on Wednesday, warning against youth brigades and parallel security groups.

“The commission urged the youth from all political parties to refrain from creating parallel security structures especially youth brigades which are hired by politicians to offer private security at the expense of the Uganda police,” Mucunguzi said.