SPC in Agago assaults voter amid internet shutdown disrupting polling

23 January 2026, 7:17 pm

By Ayiro Golden Vicky

Agago District — A Special Police Constable (SPC) in Lamiyo Sub county, Agago District, allegedly assaulted a voter during the 15 January 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections, leaving residents shocked as internet shutdowns further disrupted polling activities.

The incident occurred at Kwonkic Primary School Polling Station (Code 001) in Labworokema Village, where an SPC reportedly struck Ojara Samuel, a local resident, with a baton after accusing him of calling the officer “polic gumboot,” a local term mockingly used for constables. Present at the polling station, this reporter observed the assailant aggressively caning the victim.

The identity of the assailant remains unclear. When contacted, Presiding Officer Obwoch David declined to comment, stating he was unaware of the incident and could not identify the officers present.

However, SPC Aciro Alice Auma, stationed nearby, confirmed the incident, explaining that her colleague became angered by the remark and reacted violently. She also attributed tensions to negative community perceptions towards police officers.

A Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) official on the ground described the beating as excessive and a violation of the victim’s rights.

Agago Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Nok Nabinson Kidega condemned the act as criminal, emphasising that SPCs are mandated to maintain law and order, not to assault civilians.

Meanwhile, District Police Commander (DPC) Omar Kokole said his office had not received any formal complaint but stressed that no individual has the right to beat another person, describing such acts as human rights abuses. He urged the victim to report the matter for investigation.

Polling stations visited by this reporter included Lukole Sub county Headquarters, Anyena Primary Seven School, Kwonkic Primary School, Patongo Akwee Primary Seven School, Kabala Primary Seven School, Ogwalwoo/Akado, and Geregere Primary School.

Across the district, challenges such as drunkenness, extreme heat, and logistical issues affected the voting process. At Lukole Sub county Headquarters, untrained local individuals were reportedly deployed as polling assistants on Election Day.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of a nationwide internet shutdown, which disrupted the operation of biometric voter verification kits (BVVK) and other digital systems. Manual voting was the order of the day.

In his end-of-year 2025 address, President Yoweri Museveni rejected the practice of caning lawbreakers and directed security agencies, particularly the police, to immediately cease such conduct, urging officers to issue warnings and allow civilians time to disperse before using force.

According to 2026 statistics, Agago District has 265 active polling stations, with turnout reported as generally good despite the challenges. However, the rights of civilians are frequently abused due to fear of the law.

Uganda’s Constitution, Chapter Four, guarantees the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights and freedoms, affirming that these rights are inherent and not granted by the state.