By Ben Musanje
In a dramatic turn of events in Mukono District, seven individuals were arrested on January 6th, 2026, for allegedly attempting to bribe voters ahead of the 2026 general elections. The suspects were caught packing bags of sugar that were secretly mixed with political campaign posters in a scheme that has left the local community stunned.
The arrest took place at Happy Land Guest House, located in Katosi Central Cell, Katosi Ward, Katosi Town Council, at approximately 4:00 PM.
Police were tipped off about suspicious activity at the guest house, and upon arriving; they found the suspects in the act of packing sugar into half-kilogram packages.
Inside each bag of sugar was a folded poster featuring Hon. Kenneth Nsubuga Ssegabayunga, the Democratic Party (DP) candidate for Mukono North in the upcoming 2026–2031 parliamentary elections.
The sugar had first been packed into white polythene bags, after which the posters were inserted, and the packages were later repacked into black kaveras.
The intent seemed clear: the sugar, which would likely be distributed to local voters, was to act as a covert means of swaying electoral support for Ssegabayunga.
The arrested individuals include Moreen Nakito Birungi, a local District Councillor for Mukono District, who is now facing serious questions regarding her involvement in the scheme.
Also apprehended were Gorreti Nambowa, Madrine Namayengo, Samuel Tendo, Whitney Nakirijja, Paul Sserwaniko, and Justine Nakavuma, all residents of Katosi Town Council. Among the group was a 17-year-old student, Whitney Nakirijja, whose arrest has sparked further debate about the potential exploitation of young people in the electoral process.
Police have confirmed that they recovered several bags of sugar in both white and black kaveras, along with numerous campaign posters.
SP Racheal Kawala, the Public Relations Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police, confirmed that all seven suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. She emphasized that the operation was an illegal attempt to bribe voters disguised as charitable giving, and that the police were committed to ensuring a free and fair election. She further stated that anyone found trying to manipulate the process would be held accountable.
However, Ssegabayunga, the candidate whose name appeared on the posters, has denied any involvement in the incident.
Mukono North Constituency is being represented by Abdullah Kiwanuka of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party and the former area MP Ronald Kibuule is back in the race.
