While Manirabuka pleaded guilty to the charges, he disputed the number of posters involved.

"It is true I destroyed the posters, but they were four, not five as the prosecution claims," he told the court.

Not acknowledged

Manirabuka further explained his motive, stating that he and his family had supported and campaigned for President Museveni for years without any recognition or reward.

"I tore the posters so that the message could reach the President that there is a family in Busia that has campaigned tirelessly for him over the years without being acknowledged," Manirabuka said.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Okoth, remanded the accused to Masafu Government Prison, pending sentencing and conviction.

Manirabuka, a Busia Town resident and Musoga tribesman, had reportedly gone into hiding after defacing the posters near Busia Police Station on Majanji Road.

He was later tracked down by police detectives and arrested on Custom Road in Eastern Division, where he had been hiding.

Uganda

The eight-man race is ultimately defined by two figures: President Museveni, seeking yet another term after already completing six under the 1995 Constitution, and Bobi Wine, the opposition leader whose youthful “People Power” movement electrified the 2021 elections, garnering more than 3.6 million votes against Museveni’s six million.

The candidates have three months to traverse the country, pitching their manifestos.

Elections campaigns

Uganda will hold elections on January 12, 2026 with eight candidates competing for the top job.

However, the race is between President Museveni, who is seeking yet another term despite having already served six under the 1995 Constitution, and Bobi Wine, the opposition leader whose youthful “People Power” movement electrified the 2021 elections, garnering more than 3.6 million votes against Museveni’s six million.

The candidates have three months to traverse the country, pitching their manifestos.