Election Disputes Rock Lira City LCI Polls as Candidates Petition Over Irregularities

LIRA CITY, Uganda – At least 10 petitions have been lodged with the Lira City Resident City Commissioner’s (RCC) office challenging the credibility of the July 28, 2026 Local Council I (LCI) elections, with candidates citing intimidation, vote-rigging, and gross procedural violations.

The complaints, which have cast a shadow over the recently concluded polls, were confirmed by RCC Lawrence Egle. However, Egle made it clear that his office lacks the legal mandate to annul the results, stating that all petitions will be formally forwarded to the relevant electoral authorities for due process.

“We have received the grievances, but our role is limited to documentation and transmission. We do not have the powers to overturn election outcomes,” Egle said.

Among the most vocal petitioners is Alex Aporo, a candidate from Angwet-Angwet “A” Cell, who described the voting exercise as chaotic and fundamentally unfair. In a separate filing, Katherine Apule Otyama also vowed to pursue legal action, signaling a protracted dispute over the electoral integrity in the municipality.

In Atego “A” Cell, the discord deepened as candidates Yasin Otyang Ogwal and Mohammad Okello jointly rejected the declared results. They alleged that vote counting was marred by irregularities and that non-residents were allowed to participate in the process, undermining the will of legitimate voters.