The Electoral Commission has launched the Kikuube district by-election for June 10, 2026, after the LC5 seat fell vacant. Parties are urged to prepare flag bearers early ahead of voter updates and nominations.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially launched the Kikuube district by-election, calling on political parties to prepare their flag bearers early.
Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the EC chairperson, made the call during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting on Monday, April 27, as he rolled out plans for the by-election scheduled for June 10, 2026.. The contest is meant to fill the LC5 chairperson position that became vacant after the death of district boss Peter Banura.
Banura, the son of Maj.. Gen.. (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza, died on April 4, 2026, after he was hit by a fast-moving commuter taxi in Butyamba-Kamusunsi village, Kiziranfumbi town council, along the Hoima-Fort Road.. With his passing, the district faces what the EC described as a leadership vacuum, especially as the term of office for the current leadership is set to end on May 12, 2026.
Addressing the meeting at Kikuube district headquarters, Byabakama said the EC needs to conduct the by-election promptly to close the gap in district leadership.. He urged parties intending to field candidates to complete internal selection processes early, so they do not run into delays that could disrupt the nomination exercise planned for May 25 to 26, 2026.
A major part of the EC’s engagement was clarifying roles and responsibilities for stakeholders, including local leaders and electoral participants.. The Commission also assured the public that it is ready to deliver a free and fair election, but stressed that everyone involved must stick to electoral guidelines and regulations.
The EC chairperson also warned against attempts to influence the voter roll during the National Voters Register update scheduled for April 28 to 30, 2026.. He cautioned against ferrying and registering people from neighbouring districts, saying participation in the by-election should be limited to residents of Kikuube district.. He further reminded aspirants that only Ugandan citizens who are residents of the district should take part.
Beyond the register, the EC urged candidates and supporters to avoid conduct that could trigger election violence.. Byabakama cautioned against provocation, abuse, blackmail and physical attacks, and called on contenders to focus on persuading voters through their manifestos instead of appealing through sectarianism or tribalism.. He also asked district leaders to sensitise communities on the importance of non-violence as campaigning intensifies.
The EC revealed that Kikuube district currently has 330 polling stations and over 143,000 registered voters, expressing optimism that the figure could rise after the voter register update.. Biometric machines, the EC said, will be used to help prevent vote rigging—an approach that the Commission framed as part of broader efforts to protect the integrity of the poll.
Kikuube district returning officer Emmanuel Twine told stakeholders that voter update officers have already been recruited. He urged unregistered residents to take part in the update exercise, while also calling on everyone to follow electoral rules and use lawful means to address grievances.
In their remarks, Kikuube district resident commissioner Godwine Agalia and district vice chairperson Opio Vicente commended the EC for providing a clear roadmap to fill the vacant LC5 position.. They said district leadership will support the Commission to ensure the by-election remains peaceful, free and fair.
Security and youth conduct were also central to the meeting.. National security task force cluster head for Kikuube district, Brig.. Gen.. Omero Tingira Irumba Ateenyi, cautioned young people against election-related violence, saying forces would be deployed to ensure voters cast ballots freely.. He warned those planning to cause chaos that the security apparatus is prepared and urged strict follow-up on electoral offences to ensure offenders are held accountable.