New poll date awaited after ballot errors stall Fort Portal city election

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The Electoral Commission is expected to announce a new date for the Fort Portal city woman councillor election after voting, which was scheduled to take place on January 22, 2026, was cancelled in several polling stations due to missing and mixed-up ballot papers.

According to Fort Portal city returning officer Isaac Byamugyisha, the new polling date will be announced not later than February 4, 2026, following widespread logistical challenges that disrupted voting across the city.

“We got a challenge of the ballot papers for women councillors that were mixed up, while others were missing,” Byamugyisha said.

Voting was cancelled in Central Division West, affecting the wards of Kagote, Kimbimba, Nyabukara and Rwengoma, while in Central Division South, the wards of Bazaar, Kasusu and Kijanju were also unable to vote.

In Fort Portal North Division, polling was cancelled in North Division Upper, covering the wards of Karago, Kazingo, Kiguma, Ibonde, Kitarasa, Nyakitojo, Kitaka and Mandako.

Byamugyisha explained that some ballot papers were delivered to the wrong polling stations, while in other areas, candidates’ names and photographs were missing from the ballot papers altogether.

The cancellations drew strong reactions from candidates, including Fort Portal City West Division contender Josephine Komuhimbo, whose photograph was missing from some ballot papers, while others bearing her image were delivered to areas where she was not contesting.

“I am disappointed with the Electoral Commission because my voters were waiting to vote for me,” she said.

“Right now I am receiving calls from voters that I am not on the ballot papers, while those where I am being taken to the wrong divisions,” she added.

Komuhimbo said she rushed to the Electoral Commission offices to seek clarification and was informed that the problem stemmed from technical challenges.

“Our people left everything they were doing to come and vote for us, only to find that our ballots are either not there or our pictures are missing on the ballot papers,” she said.

Similar frustrations were expressed by Kempeta Usita, a candidate for city woman councillor in Fort Portal North Upper, who said ballot papers meant for her area were replaced with those for North Lower.

“Today, I was prepared to be elected, but when people came to polling stations, they found that ballot papers for Fort Portal North Lower had instead been sent,” she said.
Usita also criticised the Electoral Commission for the financial burden caused by the cancellation.

“I am disappointed with the Electoral Commission; we have spent so much money paying agents,” she said. “Now, when they say they are postponing the election, where am I going to get that money?” she asked.

Despite the disruptions, local government elections elsewhere in the city started earlier than during the previous parliamentary and presidential polls, with most stations opening by 8:00 am, although turnout remained low by midday.