KAMPALA, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) — National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Andrew Kaweesa has been declared the winner of a disputed village council repeat election in Kampala, defeating his National Unity Platform (NUP) rival amid fresh allegations of electoral irregularities and calls for the process to be rejected.
Electoral Commission presiding officer Habiiba Nakazibwe announced the results on October 15, 2026 after a repeat poll in Nalwewuba Zone, Mulago II Parish, which was previously nullified following allegations of widespread malpractice and violence.
Kaweesa secured 144 votes against 84 for NUP candidate Patrick Mukasa, according to the results announced by election officials.
The repeat election was held after the earlier contest was cancelled following violence that disrupted the process and prompted complaints from opposition supporters.
Kaweesa is currently on remand at Luzira Government Prison in connection with the incidents surrounding the previous election.
The circumstances of his detention and the specific charges against him were not immediately clear.
Nakazibwe told journalists that voter verification began at 08:00 local time before polling opened at midday.
However, the exercise was met with protests from opposition supporters, who questioned the credibility of the results and alleged that security personnel failed to prevent disruption at the polling station.
Topista Nakilidde, an agent for Mukasa, disputed the outcome, alleging that groups of youths had stormed the secured polling station and caused confusion while security officers looked on.
She said the opposition intended to petition against the results and demand a fresh election, citing alleged voter ferrying and bribery.
More than 30 security personnel, including military police and regular police officers, were reportedly deployed to the area during the exercise.
Kaweesa’s brother, William Ssesazi, who served as his special polling agent, defended the outcome, saying his brother had secured 183 votes in the previous election before the results were contested and the exercise cancelled.
