UPC Baraza on Apire election violence postponed by security.

BY HILLARY OPIO OMARA 

KWANIA DISTRICT - Security authorities in Kwania District have postponed a planned Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Baraza aimed at addressing tensions arising from violence during the recent LC2 election in Apire Parish,Aduku Sub-county.

 The decision follows disagreements among security officials and leaders of the UPC and National Resistance Movement (NRM) over how the post-election tensions should be handled.

 The violence,which occurred on Monday at Acut Trading Centre and Bung in Apire Parish,reportedly left more than five people injured,including police officers and civilians.A police vehicle was also reportedly vandalized during the confrontation.

 According to police reports,Kwania District Police Commander (DPC) SP Kadoogo Paul received a telephone report about clashes between supporters of the UPC and NRM during the election of the Apire Parish LC2 chairperson.

The DPC,accompanied by the police driver, Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Aturu Abraham,the Deputy District Internal Security Officer,the Kwania District Electoral Commission Returning Officer and other police officers,rushed to the area to restore order. However,the situation reportedly escalated, resulting in injuries to some police officers and residents and damage to the police vehicle.

 Speaking to journalists at Kwania Resort Hotel today Saturday August 15,2026,Emmanuel Opio Okello,the NRM Publicity Secretary for Kwania District,said the party had received information from Kwania District Woman MP Kenney Auma Lapat about a planned meeting involving NRM leaders,the offices of the DPC and RDC, and the UPDF 5th Division Commander.

Opio Okello questioned the decision to involve NRM leaders and their supporters in the proposed meeting,arguing that accusations made by UPC supporters before the DPC and Deputy RDC should first have been addressed through the appropriate leadership structures.

NRM Kwania District Chairman Nelson Sadam Abili accused MP Kenney Auma of repeatedly inciting residents during election periods,claiming that similar incidents occurred during the presidential,LC5 and most recently the LC2 elections. 

However,Kwania Assistant RDC Ceaser Obada said the Baraza was cancelled after consultations with the RDC and police as investigations into the Apire Parish violence continue.

 Obada said the meeting could not proceed while six suspects allegedly linked to the violence remained in police custody.

Assistant RDC Kwania Ceaser Obada 

 MP Kenney Auma defended her decision to convene the meeting,saying her objective was to restore peace and bring together leaders who had disagreed following the election violence.

Auma said about six UPC supporters had been arrested and detained at Kwania Central Police Station in connection with the incident. Although the Baraza has been postponed, Auma said she intends to hold a separate meeting with residents of Apire to hear their concerns and engage local leaders on possible ways of resolving the tensions.

 North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson SP Patrick Jimmy Okema said police had not received an official report about the planned Baraza but confirmed that investigations into the Apire Parish violence were ongoing.

SP Okema said the investigations are being conducted under SD:REF:40/10/08/2026, SD:REF:43/10/08/2026 and GEF:13/2026.

He said police had recorded statements from witnesses and arrested four people suspected of participating in the violence.

According to Okema,the case files have since been sanctioned by the Resident State Attorney (RSA) in Apac District,paving the way for further legal action against the suspects.

 The postponement comes amid heightened political tensions in Apire Parish,with security authorities maintaining that investigations must be allowed to proceed before any reconciliation meeting involving the parties can take place.