By Our Staff Reporter

Mbale – Uganda – Tuesday, 18 August 2026.
Two outgoing Local Council One (LC1) chairpersons in Mbale City were compelled to relinquish their official council stamps under armed security pressure during Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony for newly elected leaders.

Abdu Salam Namonye, outgoing chairperson of North Road Cell in North Central Ward, and Kayole Abdu of Kichafu Cell in Nabuyonga Ward, both resisted handing over the stamps to their successors, triggering tense standoffs at the event held at North Road Primary School.

Namonye, who had led North Road Cell for roughly 35 years, reportedly stalled the handover, citing irregularities in the recently concluded LC1 elections. Were Yahaya, the Mbale Northern City Division deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC), then directed police officers to forcibly retrieve the stamp.

Witnesses said Namonye left the scene after security officers pressed him to surrender it. His son was subsequently arrested and placed in the RCC’s pickup truck a move that prompted Namonye to return to the scene following calls from his son. He then handed the stamp over to Humble Felix, town agent for Central Ward in Mbale Northern City Division.

A similar confrontation played out in Kichafu Cell, where Kayole and his sons allegedly armed themselves with pangas to resist the handover. Kayole had served as Kichafu Cell chairperson for about 40 years.

The deputy RCC ordered both outgoing leaders to surrender their stamps, which are central to the administration of local councils. Following security intervention, the handovers were completed, allowing the newly elected LC1 chairpersons to be sworn in and assume office.