NRM polling agents refused to sign the declaration forms, and scuffles broke out between NRM and NUP members, leaving several people bleeding.
In a dramatic turn of events, National Resistance Movement (NRM) youth candidates in Mukono Municipality protested the results of the youth elections, claiming the process was rigged in favor of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The elections, held at Mukono Municipality headquarters, saw NUP’s Kato Muluta emerge victorious with 270 votes as the male youth councillor, beating NRM’s Brian Ssentongo who secured 239 votes.
The situation turned chaotic when NRM’s Olivia Joyce Nakibuule, who lost to NUP’s Margaret Nattabi for the female youth councillor, disputed the results, alleging favoritism by polling officials. The youth elections were presided over by James Ssebanyiiga.
Nakibuule and her supporters briefly halted the declaration of winners, but police intervened, allowing the process to continue. NRM polling agents refused to sign the declaration forms, and scuffles broke out between NRM and NUP members, leaving several people bleeding.
According to NUP members, the scuffle was caused by goons who were ferried into the polling station by the Mukono district NRM chairperson, Haji Haruna Ssemakula with their faces hooded.
The youths also accused Haji Ssemakula of influencing the voters with money, saying he was paying those who voted an NRM candidate and showed him a proof of a ticked ballot paper.
“We have witnessed voters taking pictures of their ballots after ticking them. Each of those have been paid sh50,000. Its the reason they are so tough on us, they have spent alot of money and at the end of the day things have not gone by their side,” said one of the youths, adding;
“NRM camp also ferried voters who were not in the register, our efforts to protest that fell on deaf ears, we therefore decided to remain on God’s mercy.”
Despite the controversy, Muluta vowed to tackle youth unemployment in Mukono, citing the need for sensitization on government programs aimed at poverty alleviation.
For other interest group positions; Sarah Catherine Nanfuka of NRM was declared winner for the female councillor representing the PWDs with 29 votes, beating Jane Deborah Namubiru who only secured 16 votes.
Wilberforce Magera of the NRM emerged victorious as the male elderly councillor with 28 votes yet Richard Aliwali on an independent ticket secured 14 votes.
