The Obongi District Returning Officer, Innocent Akena, has dismissed reports suggesting that refugees have been registered as voters in the district ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Akena said he is unaware of any such cases, noting that he has not received a single complaint indicating that refugees were illegally included on the voter register in Obongi. He added that he had not read the media reports making the claims and therefore could not respond directly to them.
“The voter registration process is always conducted transparently by the Electoral Commission. It involves registration, updates, and verification, all of which are carried out openly with the participation of local authorities,” Akena explained.
He further stated that although he assumed office in Obongi in June last year, he believes his predecessor ensured that all electoral processes were conducted in a free and fair manner.
Akena emphasized that refugees are not eligible to vote and warned that if any were found on the voter register, it would be illegal and constitute a serious security issue requiring investigation.
On December 3, 2025, media reports quoted the Obongi Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, as warning refugees against taking part in the upcoming general elections.
The RDC reportedly made the remarks during a graduation ceremony for refugees and nationals who had completed a skills training programme funded by the Stromme Foundation and Palm Corps.
The RDC further alleged that some politicians were registering refugees in Obongi Town Council, Itula, and Palorinya.
However, a resident who identified himself as Abukoji Nasuru, not his real name, criticized the RDC for making what he described as unverified and dangerous allegations, arguing that such claims undermine the credibility of the Electoral Commission.
“If refugees were registered without proper checks and ended up on the voter register, it would point to a failure within the system, either at the DISO’s office or due to oversight by the RDC’s office. NIRA requirements are clear: an LC1 letter endorsed by the DISO is meant to verify an applicant’s eligibility,” he said.
He further questioned accountability, noting that voter verification is conducted in the same building where the RDC’s office is located. “The RDC’s office has a key oversight role in ensuring government programmes are properly implemented. If that role has failed, he should take responsibility,” he added.
Another voter from Itula sub-county, George Aloro, described the allegations as false, stressing that the voter registration process was supervised by the RDC in his capacity as the district’s head of security.
Aloro wondered how refugees could have been registered as voters when the entire process was monitored by the Office of the Resident District Commissioner.
“All the procedures went through the Electoral Commission systems under the management of the Returning Officer, including the display of the voters’ register. If there were any such concerns, they should have been raised during the display period,” he said.
Aloro also urged residents not to be distracted by what he termed as self-serving interests, calling instead for unity and focus on mobilising support for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
He claimed that attempts to intimidate voters and manipulate the process would not succeed in Obongi during the coming elections.
Background
Obongi dstrict, which was carved out of Moyo District in 2019 by parliamentary power, has a population of 72,166 people and is hosting 142,527 refugees as of January 7, 2026, according to the UNHCR, with a total population of 19,000 voters.
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