Namisindwa District Council Swearing-In Disrupted by Teargas as LCV Chairperson Accuses RDC of Corruption

The swearing-in ceremony of newly elected councilors in Namisindwa District ended in chaos on Thursday, May 21, 2026, after police fired teargas to disperse rowdy supporters following a disputed council election.

The dramatic incident unfolded at Bupoto Sub-county during the official inauguration of district leaders, where the newly elected Namisindwa District LCV Chairperson, Emma Bwayo, openly accused Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Elijah Madoyi of corruption and abuse of office.

The ceremony was presided over by Nalungi Esther and attended by Emmanuel Dombo, who served as the guest of honour.

Trouble began when two councilors from the same sub-county each claimed victory using separate declaration forms. The dispute involved Wapoko Moses and Walimbwa Wilson.

Despite the disagreement, Wapoko Moses was officially sworn in. However, tensions escalated after Walimbwa Wilson allegedly attempted to take the oath as well. Police later arrested Walimbwa, sparking anger among his supporters and triggering violent scenes that disrupted the ceremony.

Security officers fired teargas to disperse the crowd as panic spread among guests and local leaders. The chaos forced officials to postpone the election of the district speaker and the appointment of the district executive committee.

Speaking shortly after taking office, Emma Bwayo pledged to fight corruption and improve service delivery across Namisindwa District.

“We are going to streamline services and build very strong systems. Everybody must know their role,” Bwayo said.

The LCV chairperson further alleged that corruption was deeply rooted within the district leadership, including among officials responsible for combating graft.

“The officers charged with fighting corruption are themselves corrupt. Every opportunity is seen as a chance to make money,” he claimed.

A visibly angry Bwayo blamed the violence on what he described as impunity, greed, and excessive love for money. He also accused RDC Elijah Madoyi of ordering the attempted arrest of one of the disputed councilors during the ceremony.

According to Bwayo, he personally intervened to stop the arrest, warning that the situation could have escalated into wider violence.

The teargas incident caused confusion and panic among attendees, forcing the swearing-in event to end prematurely as guests fled the venue for safety.