Alebtong Deputy Resident District Commissioner Mathias Lutwama has ordered the arrest of an Electoral Commission supervisor following a disputed LC II election in Alanyi Parish.
Lutwama said the intervention followed complaints from voters after an NRM candidate, Ogwang Sam, was allegedly removed from the candidates’ register while voters were already assembled to participate in the election.
According to the RDC, Electoral Commission supervisors Ejang Sarah and Ouni David were expected to oversee the election but were reportedly absent from the polling venue for several hours. He said they were later found at a private residence, where the alleged changes to the candidates’ register were made.
Lutwama said the removal of Ogwang’s name left UPC candidate Onyong Richard as the only candidate, after which he was reportedly declared the winner. The move allegedly triggered protests from voters who questioned how the election had been conducted.
Ouni was arrested on allegations of negligence of duty and fleeing with election materials, according to Lutwama. Police reportedly opened a case under SD Ref. 10/10/08/2026, with investigations expected to establish whether election procedures were breached.
Lutwama said the alleged actions of the officials were inconsistent with Electoral Commission regulations, particularly because the candidate was reportedly removed after voters had already turned up to vote. He also alleged that similar complaints had been raised during the recent LC I and women council elections.
Sarah was reportedly still at large as authorities pursued her for questioning. The allegations against both officials remain subject to investigation, and they had not responded to the claims by the time of publication.
The incident occurred as Uganda conducted LC II elections across 10,718 parishes and wards, with voting restricted to members of the newly elected LC I executive committees.
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