Protest erupts over LC1 winner declared without vote in Bushenyi
Carrying placards, the residents marched to the Kyamuhunga subcounty headquarters on August 1, 2026, demanding an explanation as to how a winner had been declared when no votes had been cast.
Residents protested, wondering why one of the contestants was declared winner yet they did not vote. (Credit: Bruno Mugizi)
BUSHENYI - Residents of Rwenjojo village in Kakoni parish, Kyamuhunga subcounty, Bushenyi district, staged a protest after one of the LC1 chairperson candidates was declared the winner despite elections reportedly not taking place in the village.
Carrying placards, the residents marched to the Kyamuhunga subcounty headquarters on August 1, 2026, demanding an explanation as to how a winner had been declared when no votes had been cast.
Election abandoned after chaos
On July 28, 2026, villages across Uganda went to the polls to elect Local Council One (LC1) chairpersons.
However, the election in Rwenjojo village was abandoned after violence erupted during a contest between National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Ham Ahimbisibwe and independent candidate Denis Nuwagira.
The chaos reportedly stemmed from disagreements over the voters' register, with some residents claiming their names had been removed. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the rowdy crowd before election officials abandoned the exercise.
Residents said they were later shocked to learn that Ahimbisibwe had been declared the duly elected LC1 chairperson despite no voting taking place.
Caleb Mugumya, a resident, alleged that the parish election supervisor, Jedson Ainebyoona, who is also Ahimbisibwe's son, connived with officials to have his father declared the winner.
"We did not vote because the election was abandoned after disagreements over the register. We were shocked to hear that a winner had been declared. We want the Electoral Commission to organise a fresh election so that the people can choose their leader," Mugumya said.
The chaos reportedly stemmed from disagreements over the voters' register, with some residents claiming their names had been removed. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the rowdy crowd before election officials abandoned the exercise. (Credit: Bruno Mugizi)
However, the allegations were dismissed by the area registrar, Peter Mugisha, who denied any wrongdoing.
Michael Mutsinguzi, another resident, claimed that of the 341 registered voters, only 241 appeared on the voters' register on polling day.
LC3 chairperson questions supervisor's role
Kyamuhunga subcounty LC3 chairperson Adolf Kanyomozi said the security committee had earlier agreed that Ainebyoona should not supervise the election because his father was one of the contestants.
"As a security committee, we agreed that Mr Ainebyoona should not preside over the election because it was a clear conflict of interest. We were surprised to learn that he still participated in supervising the process involving his own father," Kanyomozi said.
Matter referred to Electoral Commission
Kyamuhunga subcounty chief Elly Muhwezi said the matter would be referred to the Electoral Commission for guidance.
"We have received the residents' complaints, and we shall forward the matter to the Electoral Commission. If it is established that no election was conducted, the appropriate action will be taken, including organising a fresh poll," Muhwezi said.
By press time, the Electoral Commission had not issued an official statement on the disputed declaration of the Rwenjojo village LC1 chairperson.