By Weswa Ronnie
MITYANA
Police in Mityana District have arrested two Electoral Commission (EC) staff and a civilian over alleged neglect of duty and unlawful possession of voter location slips and related election materials, raising fresh concerns about the handling of sensitive electoral items ahead of the January 15 general elections.
The arrests followed intelligence received on January 4, 2026, by the Mityana District Police Commander (DPC), SP Rutambika Tyson, indicating that an individual was illegally in possession of voter location slips and issuance forms in Kibati village, Buswabulongo, within Mityana Municipality.
Acting on the tip-off, police alerted the Mityana District Returning Officer of the Electoral Commission, who joined a joint operation to trace and recover the materials. A team led by Detective Assistant Inspector of Police Juma Godfrey proceeded to Kibati, where they arrested Matovu Micheal.
According to police, Matovu was found in possession of 862 voter location slips and 83 voter slip issuance forms. He was immediately taken to Central Police Station (CPS) Mityana for interrogation.
During questioning, Matovu reportedly told investigators that he had been irregularly assigned to issue voter location slips by his brother, Kazibwe Sunday Godfrey, an Electoral Commission employee serving as a supervisor in Bulera Sub-county. He further stated that the arrangement was made with the knowledge of Kasaana Fred, another EC staff member and supervisor for Misebe Parish, also in Bulera Sub-county.
Police subsequently arrested Kazibwe Sunday Godfrey and Kasaana Fred. Authorities say the two Electoral Commission officials have been charged with neglect of duty and failure to protect government stores entrusted to them.
Matovu Micheal, identified as a student at Mityana Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, has been charged with unlawful possession of government stores, specifically the recovered voter location slips and issuance forms.
The Wamala Region Police Spokesperson, SSP Lameck Kigozi, cautioned the public against interfering with the work of the Electoral Commission, especially during what he described as a highly sensitive and closely monitored electoral period.
“We strongly caution the public not to interfere with the official duties of the Electoral Commission at such a crucial time when every activity is closely monitored and viewed with suspicion,” SSP Kigozi said.
He also urged EC staff to carry out their responsibilities diligently to avoid lapses that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Police encouraged members of the public to continue reporting any electoral irregularities to authorities for prompt action, as investigations into the matter continue.
