The Electoral Commission has directed Local Government Authorities to halt the swearing-in of 365 Village/Cell (LC1) Chairpersons whose election results are being contested until pending complaints are heard and determined.
On July 28, 2026, the Electoral Commission conducted elections in 71,214 villages across the country to elect LC1 Chairpersons and Village Councils. However, the elections were marred by allegations of electoral malpractice, prompting hundreds of candidates to petition the Electoral Commission, challenging the results and seeking the nullification of disputed elections and the declaration of rightful winners.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the Commission confirms receipt of a number of complaints challenging the electoral processes and results in various villages. He said the Commission had commenced the process of hearing, reviewing and determining the complaints, which is still ongoing.
Justice Byabakama noted that the Commission had also observed that preparations for the swearing-in of newly elected Village/Cell Chairpersons by respective Local Government Authorities were already underway, including in areas where election results are the subject of pending complaints before the Commission.
“Accordingly, the Electoral Commission has advised the concerned Local Government Authorities to halt the swearing-in of Village/Cell Chairpersons in villages/cells whose election results have been contested and are currently under consideration by the Commission,” Byabakama said.
He explained that the measure is intended to give the Commission time to conclude the hearing and determination of the pending complaints before any further action is taken regarding the affected election results. “The Electoral Commission appreciates the cooperation of all concerned Local Government Authorities, candidates and members of the public as the Commission continues to discharge its mandate in accordance with the law,” Byabakama added.
The directive means that candidates whose victories are being challenged will have to wait for the Electoral Commission to conclude the petitions before they can be sworn in. The Electoral Commission has attached a list of 365 villages where it has received complaints challenging the declaration of LC 1 Chairpersons spread across districts in the country.
Some of the zones include Lumu zone in Luwero town council, where outgoing Chairperson Ssaka Kisekka challenged the outcomes of the polls. Other villages include Kalongo Miti, Lusenke, Bufumbanswa and Lusenke in Luwero district. Also on the list are Kasubi zone in Rubaga division, Tyaba zone, Nabisalu zone, Muyenga B, all in Makindye division, Lugoba zone, Kimwanyi, Busia, Kalule, all in Kawempe division in Kampala district, among others.
But by the time the Electoral Commission halted the swearing-in, some areas had completed the exercise and ordered the outgoing Chairperson to hand over the stamps. In some areas, the outgoing LC 1 Chairpersons have refused to hand over the stamp, challenging their defeat. There was reported tension and confrontation in parts of Mbale City on Tuesday as outgoing Local Council One (LC1) chairpersons resisted handing over official council stamps to newly elected leaders during the swearing-in and handover ceremonies.
Confrontations were witnessed at North Road Cell in North Central Ward and Kichafu Cell in Nabuyonga Ward in Mbale City. The outgoing LC 1 Chairpersons challenged the handover of the stamp before their petitions are handled-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
