LUUKA | THE EYE MEDIA | July 19, 2025
Startling new evidence has emerged in the aftermath of the chaotic NRM primaries in Luuka District, revealing that the masked gunmen who terrorized voters were using a vehicle bearing fake South Sudanese number plates—SSD 332AB—in what appears to be a well-orchestrated voter intimidation scheme by former Minister, Esther Mbayo ‘s camp.
Community members have confirmed that the original Ugandan plates on the said vehicle were deliberately removed and replaced with the South Sudan registration as a disguise to evade identification and traceability.
The vehicle is one of those used by masked men in UPDF land forces uniforms who traversed various villages issuing threats to residents and openly campaigning for former Minister Esther Mbayo. Their message was chilling: “Vote Mbayo or face the consequences.”
In a dramatic twist on election day, two of the soldiers involved were arrested in a security-led crackdown spearheaded by Luuka RDC Michael Kibwika, along with other district security chiefs.
The arrest happened following intelligence tip-offs from residents who had grown increasingly alarmed by the armed men’s activities.
One of the key flashpoints was Musita Village in Bukooma Subcounty, where uniformed soldiers shockingly took over the role of an NRM elections officer—openly presiding over the voting exercise in violation of both electoral and military conduct.
However, the soldiers’ plot backfired spectacularly at Musita when they unknowingly attempted to oversee voting at the home polling station of Dr. Muhammad Lubega, the Busoga Kingdom First Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.
Upon witnessing the soldiers in charge of the election, Dr. Lubega personally confronted them and demanded an explanation. The armed imposters—startled and exposed—fled the scene on foot, abandoning their illegal operation.
According to local intelligence sources, the two arrested soldiers are alleged to have been deployed by Major Magoola, a senior UPDF officer based in Jinja, who has been working together with other UPDF officers in Busoga to unleash violence on the peaceful people of Luuka allegedly acting at the behest of Esther Mbayo. While neither Magoola nor Mbayo has publicly responded to these claims, the community is demanding accountability and swift investigations.
“We saw our people intimidated with guns and military force, and now we find out the whole operation was hidden behind fake number plates? This must be investigated at the highest level.”
The vehicle, SSD 332AB, is currently part of an active investigation, with authorities working to establish its true origin and the network behind its use.
Ironically, despite the heavy-handed tactics and alleged military interference, former Presidency Minister Esther Mbayo suffered a humiliating defeat. Mbayo polled only 8,986 votes representing 16.87 % of the total number of votes cast against political newcomer Annet Nabirye’s sweeping 33714, representing 63.29%.
As security agencies piece together the evidence, Luuka residents are urging the NRM Secretariat and UPDF leadership to take decisive action against those who turned a democratic process into a battlefield.
This is a developing story… and The Eye Media will stay on it.
