By Eye Media Team | Luuka | July 17, 2025
Two Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers alleged to be working for Minister Esther Mbayo have been arrested in Luuka District over acts of voter intimidation and unlawful involvement in the just-concluded NRM primaries.
The two, identified as Lt. Semkumba and a one Wajambuka, were netted on Wednesday by security operatives led by the RDC of Luuka, Michael Kibwika, after credible reports and overwhelming public complaints pinned them for terrorizing voters and interfering with the electoral process.
Shockingly, the suspects were traveling in a vehicle bearing foreign registration plates from Sudan, raising more suspicion about their true mission in Luuka. They were dressed in full military combat but with no name tags on their uniforms — a direct breach of UPDF conduct and a tell-tale sign of a covert operation.
Upon arrest, a cache of alarming items was recovered, including a pistol, an AK-47 rifle, multiple magazines, electric wires allegedly used for beating voters, and four pairs of gumboots — often associated with field operations. Other gear included water containers, jungle jackets, and communication gadgets, all of which were displayed as evidence.
“We couldn’t sit back as people’s rights were being trampled. These soldiers were clearly working for one camp and were not deployed officially,” said RDC Kibwika, who personally oversaw the operation.
Eyewitnesses and some party mobilisers accused the arrested soldiers of blocking voters from accessing polling stations, threatening those believed to support Annet Nabirye, and even assaulting some youths in Nawampiti and Bukooma sub-counties.
This latest development gives more weight to the growing accusations that Esther Mbayo’s team used state machinery and armed goons to attempt to rig the elections — a strategy that backfired badly, as Nabirye went on to win in a provisional landslide.
By press time, both suspects had been transferred to Luuka Central Police Station (CPS) for further management, and investigations were underway to uncover who deployed them and under whose instructions.
The arrest is expected to raise tough questions in Kampala, especially within security circles and the NRM Secretariat, with increasing pressure to hold accountable those who compromise the integrity of party primaries.
Meanwhile, Annet Nabirye continues to bask in victory, with supporters praising the resilience of Luuka voters who refused to be cowed by guns, boots, or threats.
“This is no longer just an election win. It is a revolution against intimidation,” one jubilant supporter said.
