At least three people have lost their lives and dozens more have been arrested following intense overnight protests in Luwero Town Council, central Uganda, after tensions erupted over the handling of election results. The violence, which unfolded over several hours, has once again highlighted the fragile relationship between security forces, opposition supporters, and the electoral process in the country.
According to police, the unrest began on Thursday at around 7:00 p.m. when security personnel restricted public access to Luwero Islamic Primary School polling station, where vote counting was underway. The polling station, located within school premises, was reportedly closed to members of the public, with only accredited polling agents allowed inside to observe the tallying process.
While authorities described the measure as a standard security procedure, the decision sparked anger among supporters of opposition candidates, particularly those affiliated with the National Unity Platform (NUP). Protesters claimed the move undermined transparency and raised fears of manipulation at a critical stage of the electoral process.
Rising Tensions Over Alleged Lack of Transparency
Witnesses in Luwero said the atmosphere around the polling station quickly deteriorated as crowds gathered demanding access to the vote-counting venue. Supporters of NUP candidates accused security forces of deliberately blocking voters to conceal alleged attempts to rig results in favor of candidates from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
As rumors spread across town, frustration turned into open confrontation. Protesters began chanting slogans and accusing electoral officials and security personnel of colluding to alter outcomes. What initially started as a protest over access to the polling station soon escalated into broader unrest fueled by longstanding political grievances.
Local residents reported that misinformation and unverified claims circulated rapidly, intensifying emotions and drawing more people into the streets as night fell.
Barricades, Burning Tyres, and Highway Disruption
By late evening, protesters had erected makeshift barricades and set tyres ablaze along the Kampala–Gulu highway, a major transport corridor linking northern Uganda to the capital. The roadblocks brought traffic to a standstill, stranding motorists and effectively paralyzing movement in and out of Luwero Town Council for several hours.
Shops closed abruptly, public transport halted operations, and residents were forced indoors as the situation grew increasingly volatile. The burning tyres and barricades were visible from a distance, symbolizing the depth of anger and mistrust surrounding the electoral process.
In response, police units backed by soldiers from the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) were deployed to restore order. Security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds and, according to police accounts, fired live bullets as the confrontation intensified.
Deadly Clashes Leave Three Civilians Dead
The standoff between protesters and security forces lasted close to six hours. Amid the chaos, three people were killed by what authorities described as suspected stray bullets.
The victims were identified as Sarah Nagayi, 36, a resident of Kikubajinja; Ibrahim Sserubiri, 18, from Mabbale Zone; and Robert Sseninde, a resident of Lumu Zone. Their deaths have sent shockwaves through the local community, with families and neighbors expressing grief and anger over the loss of civilian lives during a political dispute.
Community leaders have called for calm while urging authorities to establish the exact circumstances under which the victims were shot. Human rights advocates argue that the use of live ammunition in crowd control situations raises serious concerns and warrants independent scrutiny.
Police Confirm Arrests and Possible Charges
Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima confirmed that 34 people were arrested during the unrest. He said the suspects are currently being detained at Luwero Central Police Station.
According to Twiineamazima, those arrested are accused of throwing stones at security personnel, burning tyres, blocking a public highway, and engaging in acts that disrupted public order. He added that police intend to charge the suspects with inciting violence and destruction of public infrastructure, including damage to the road.
“Law and order were seriously threatened,” Twiineamazima said, emphasizing that security agencies acted to protect lives and property.
However, opposition supporters and civil society groups have questioned whether the arrests were proportionate and have called for the suspects’ rights to be respected during detention and prosecution.
Heavy Security Presence Maintained
Police and UPDF forces reportedly regained full control of Luwero Town Council at around midnight. Since then, security has remained tight, with patrols deployed across the town to prevent further disturbances.
Additional security personnel have also been stationed at the Luwero District headquarters, where the declaration of presidential and parliamentary election results is still pending. Authorities say the measures are necessary to maintain calm and safeguard electoral materials, while residents describe the atmosphere as tense and uncertain.
Schools, markets, and businesses in some parts of town have been operating cautiously, with many residents fearful that renewed protests could erupt if the final results are disputed.
Broader Implications for Uganda’s Electoral Process
The violence in Luwero adds to a growing list of election-related incidents that have marred Uganda’s electoral landscape over the years. Disputes over transparency, access to polling stations, and the role of security forces have repeatedly fueled unrest, particularly in areas with strong opposition support.
Political analysts note that restricting public access to vote-counting centers, even when legally justified, often fuels suspicion in highly polarized environments. Without clear communication and trust in institutions, such measures can quickly become flashpoints for violence.
The deaths of civilians during the protests are likely to intensify calls for reforms in election management and security deployment, as well as demands for accountability when force is used.
Community Grief and Calls for Accountability
As families prepare to bury the deceased, local leaders and religious figures have urged restraint and dialogue. Many residents say they want answers, justice for the victims, and assurances that future elections will not lead to similar bloodshed.
Civil society organizations are expected to monitor developments closely, particularly as the country awaits the official declaration of election results. Whether calm will hold in Luwero and other contested areas may depend on how authorities handle both the announcement of results and the aftermath of the protests.
For now, Luwero Town Council remains under watch, a somber reminder of how quickly political tensions can turn deadly when trust in the electoral process breaks down.
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In Uganda what happened
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