Family Demands Release of Journalist Arrested in Post-Election Chaos

A family in Nakawa Division has demanded the immediate release of their relative who was arrested following post-election chaos at Ntinda Hospital Polling Station in Kampala.

Kassim Ssematimba, a journalist with Mulengela News, an online platform, is among three people arrested on January 22, 2026, during the Local Government Elections in which Ugandans voted for City Lord Mayors, LC5 Chairpersons, and other local leaders.

The others are Bashir Matende, a councillor for Bukoto II Parish, and Ronald Ssebabinga, an electrician. All three are residents of Kigowa, Ntinda, in Nakawa Division.Fatuma Babirye, Ssematimba’s sister, said her brother was arrested after voting had ended at the polling station.

Speaking through tears, Babirye said security personnel arrested Ssematimba and later arraigned him before the City Hall Magistrates Court, which remanded him to Luzira Prison.She said Ssematimba is the sole breadwinner for his family, taking care of two children whose mother works abroad.

According to Babirye, Ssematimba wakes up early every day to prepare the children before taking them to relatives.Babirye said the family has struggled during the week Ssematimba has spent in prison and appealed for his immediate release.


However, Aston Businge, the LC1 Chairperson of Kalinabiri Village where the Ntinda Hospital polling station is located, described the election process as peaceful and well-organized, with strong voter turnout and no major incidents recorded on polling day.

Speaking at the hospital polling station, Businge said the area has seven polling stations, all of which operated smoothly. He said voters turned up in large numbers, cast their ballots calmly, and left without disruption.