Several polling agents of parliamentary candidates in Nakaseke District say they are living in fear even after regaining freedom following their arrest during the January 15 elections. The agents, most of them representing the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer and incumbent Nakaseke Central MP, Mr Allan Mayanja Ssebunya, were arrested at or near their assigned polling stations shortly before voting began.
Although some have since been released without charge, they allege continued intimidation through warnings conveyed by relatives, friends and local leaders.
Mr Amon Rwaviira, 26, a resident of Kalagala Village in Kikamulo Sub-county, says he was arrested while serving as a polling agent for Mr Ssebunya and detained for two days before being released on January 17, 2026. ‘I was questioned about why I was supporting an opposition candidate when, according to them, my name suggested I should be supporting the ‘right’ candidate,’ Mr Rwaviira told Daily Monitor.
‘I was roughed up and forced into a Toyota Hiace van, where we spent more than five hours before being taken to Kiwoko Police Station,’ he added. He says he was later interviewed by a police detective who appeared unsure why he had been detained. ‘I was in pain and frightened after the beating. I explained that I had committed no crime and that I was only appointed as a polling agent to witness the voting process,’ he said. Despite his release without charge, Mr Rwaviira says he feels unsafe and claims police warned him against participating in any further political activity.
Another polling agent, Mr John Yiga Barugahare, says he narrowly escaped arrest during an early morning security operation at Kaswaga Village in Wakyato Sub-county on polling day. Mr Barugahare, who says he had been appointed as a supervisor and agent for Mr Ssebunya at Kaswaga Polling Station, claims the polling officer asked him to leave after telling him that security personnel were looking for him. ‘As I tried to explain who I was, a double-cabin pickup carrying soldiers arrived,’ he said. ‘I had been tipped off earlier, so I ran into nearby bushes. Some of my colleagues were arrested,’ he added.
While in hiding, Mr Barugahare says he received calls and messages urging him to report to police. ‘My local council chairperson advised me to remain in hiding because my name was on a list of wanted people in Nakaseke,’ he said, adding that he only resurfaced on January 17. When contacted, Savannah regional police spokesperson Sam Twineamazima said all arrests were linked to specific offences. ‘By January 17, police in Nakaseke had more than 40 people in custody in connection with unrest that occurred during and after the presidential and parliamentary elections,’ Mr Twineamazima said.
‘Many of them have already appeared in court, while others who are still at large have cases to answer,’ he added. However, Mr Ssebunya disputed the police account, saying many of his supporters were still in hiding and more than 30, including polling agents, had been arrested. ‘Polling agents are official witnesses to what happened at polling stations. That is why they became targets at more than 30 polling stations in Nakaseke Central,’ Mr Ssebunya said on January 18.
He accused the Returning Officer, Ms Aidah Tusiime, of declaring results that did not correspond with the Declaration of Results forms signed by his agents.
‘For example, at Buswagi Public School, our declaration form showed that the NRM candidate, Mr Joseph Kyofatogabye, had 145 votes and I had 83. But the results announced gave him 410 votes and me nine,’ Mr Ssebunya claimed. Daily Monitor could not independently verify the figures by press time.
Commenting on the dispute, Electoral Commission head of public relations Mr Julius Mucunguzi said candidates dissatisfied with the electoral process should seek redress in court. ‘All candidates with complaints have a legal avenue through the courts,’ Mr Mucunguzi said. On January 16, 2026, the Returning Officer declared Mr Kyofatogabye Kabuye (NRM) winner of the Nakaseke Central parliamentary race with 13,685 votes. Mr Ssebunya was runner-up with 8,178 votes. Mr Ssebunya maintains that his attempts to present declaration forms showing what he calls the ‘true results’ were ignored.