Ibanda District Chairperson Happy Herbert Mayanja was declared unopposed for a second term as LC5 chairperson Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | As voters elsewhere lined up to choose district chairpersons and councillors, large parts of Ankole watched the election unfold from the sidelines. In six of the sub-region’s twelve districts, and one city, the ballot paper never reached voters’ …

Tony Wamagale Mbale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has entrenched its political dominance in the Bugisu sub-region after sweeping all District Chairperson (LCV) seats, consolidating its grip across Mbale, Manafwa, Bududa, Bulambuli, Sironko, and Namisindwa districts. In Mbale District, former LCV Vice Chairperson Tony Wamagale delivered a resounding defeat to his former boss and incumbent, …

Robert Kasibante (in red tie), with his supporters on arrival for presidential nomination at the Lubowa Electoral Commission Grounds. Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Presidential election petitioner Robert Kasibante has filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking orders compelling the Electoral Commission (EC) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to disclose key electoral documents and grant him access to …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The government will award national medals to 33 distinguished Ugandans during this year’s Liberation Day celebrations, the Minister of the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, has announced. Speaking to journalists at the Government Media Centre on Friday, Babalanda said the medals will be awarded as part of activities marking the day the National Resistance Movement …

Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama. Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Electoral Commission (EC) has set Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as the polling date for the election of Directly Elected Members of Parliament in constituencies where voting was earlier suspended due to electoral irregularities. The affected areas include Kibanda North Constituency in Kiryandongo District, Ibanda Municipality in Ibanda District, …

Veteran politician Vincent Bamulangakii Ssempijja Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The just-concluded district local government elections have delivered a mixed verdict for incumbents, returning political veterans, and first-time challengers, with voters in several districts opting for change while others reaffirmed familiar leadership. Across the country, the polls were marked by landslide victories, tightly contested races, low voter turnout, and …

A fully packed Masaka Chief Magistrate Court. Many supporters of politicians crowd the courtrooms to follow proceedings. PHOTO URN Masaka, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Masaka Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe, has cautioned voters in constituencies whose election results are challenged against abandoning their work to overcrowd courts where disputes are being heard. His remarks come after several contestants in …

Lord Mayoral Candidate Engineer Ronald Balimwezo, accompanied by his wife, going to cast their votes at Mutungo Zone 4 in Nakawa Division. Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Unofficial preliminary results from most centres across Kampala indicated that Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo of NUP led at most of them and is set to win the Kampala mayoral race. Counting continued into the …

A group of Youth demanding to be given money before they go to cast their votes in Nakawa Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The local government elections have concluded amid a mix of tension, allegations of malpractice, and low voter turnout in several districts. Across the country, polling stations experienced disputes ranging from voter bribery and denied voting rights …

Polling officials counting ballots Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Even before the Electoral Commission releases figures on participation in the 2026 general elections, it is noticeable that the LCV elections this year are going to register the lowest voter turnout since 1996. According to our reporters who covered this election across the country, by the time voting closed at …