Gulu City | Voting at Holy Rosary Primary School polling station in Gulu City was briefly disrupted on Tuesday afternoon after chaos erupted following allegations of vote interference involving supporters of rival political camps, police have said.
According to a statement issued by ASP Ongom David Mudong, the Police Public Relations Officer for Aswa West, the incident occurred on January 27, 2026, at around 2:30 p.m., during voting for City Division Mayoral and City Councilor positions.
Police say a group of rowdy individuals, allegedly led by Otim Geoffrey, the incumbent Division Mayor for Laroo-Pece contesting on the Democratic Party (DP) ticket, attempted to disrupt the voting process.
The group reportedly accused Otim Robert of mobilising votes in favour of Aber Gifter, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate.
The accusations quickly escalated into disorder at the polling station, drawing the attention of security authorities. Officers from Gulu Central Police Station (CPS) responded swiftly to restore calm and prevent further disruption of the voting exercise.
Upon arrival, police found Otim Robert already being held aboard an escort double-cabin pickup vehicle belonging to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, which was carrying Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers.
Police intervened and managed to remove Otim Robert from the vehicle before escorting him to Gulu CPS for further management.
Meanwhile, officers instructed those who had arrived at the polling station aboard the escort vehicle to vacate the area, an order with which they initially complied.
However, the situation further deteriorated amid the confusion. Police arrested another man yet to be identified who was allegedly causing disorder at the polling station.
Moments later, the same group that had earlier left in the escort pickup reportedly returned and, in what police described as a hostile confrontation, forcibly took the suspect from police custody before speeding away. The group allegedly claimed the suspect was part of the incumbent mayor’s team.
The dramatic hijacking of a suspect from police custody angered members of the public who had gathered around the polling station. Tensions escalated rapidly, with residents becoming increasingly rowdy and hostile.
Shortly afterward, a Toyota Land Cruiser decorated with photos of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs arrived at the scene.
The vehicle was attacked by members of the public, forcing the driver to abandon it. Police later intervened, rescued the vehicle, and towed it to Gulu Central Police Station for safe custody.
Police condemned what they described as an “ugly and criminally laced” scene that was deliberately orchestrated to disrupt the electoral process.
“We strongly condemn these chaotic behaviours aimed at interfering with the voting process,” ASP Mudong said in the statement.
“Such actions undermine democracy and will not be tolerated,” he added.
He added that police have launched follow-up investigations into the incident and warned that all individuals found culpable will be charged in accordance with Uganda’s electoral and criminal laws.
The incident has heightened concerns about election-related violence and the involvement of political actors and their supporters in activities that threaten the credibility of the electoral process. Security agencies have since reinforced their presence at polling stations across Gulu City to prevent similar incidents.
Police have urged political leaders, candidates, and their supporters to exercise restraint and adhere to electoral guidelines, emphasizing that disputes should be addressed through lawful channels rather than violence or intimidation.
As investigations continue, authorities say maintaining peace and order remains their top priority to ensure that voters can exercise their constitutional right freely and without fear.
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.