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There was deployement in Mandela cell in Mbarara City South division where local residents showed interest in causing chaos over delayed registers. (PHOTO: JOVITA HASTO)
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By Jovita Hasto
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) elections for LC1 flag bearers in various parts of the country were marred by chaos due to missing names in voter registers, delays in delivering registers to polling stations, and other logistical issues.
Voting at Katete Central Cell in Mbarara City South started around 11:00 a.m. The process was initially peaceful but later turned chaotic. One of the candidates could not wait for voters to line up behind him and left the polling station, expressing dissatisfaction but declining to explain his reasons to journalists.
Mr. Badru Bainomugisha, a resident, expressed concern over alleged voter fraud, stating that non-residents participated in the election.
“They brought people from other areas to vote. They stopped reading names from the register and allowed outsiders to vote. We cannot accept what has happened,” he said.
Mr. Bainomugisha further claimed that the election was neither free nor fair, even though the voting was done by lining up behind candidates. “We cannot waste time lining up behind any candidate when we see non-residents participating in the elections,” he added.
However, Mr. Erick Williams Ganaffa, the newly elected flag bearer for Katete Central Cell, described the election as free and fair, attributing its success to the discipline exhibited by local residents.
“Voters had a choice while voting. Their names were checked in the register, security was present, and all residents voted. Claims that outsiders were hired to vote for me are baseless,” he said.
In Rugazi Cell, Mbarara City South, Mr. Kato Kiharara, another candidate, expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process, claiming that polling agents were supporters of his opponent.
“I am not convinced because those checking the registers are agents of my opponent. This is not a fair election,” he stated.
He added that some residents who had lived in the area for years were missing from the register and were at risk of being denied the right to vote.
“In the past, we allowed residents who had lived here for over ten years to vote. We should agree to let such residents vote. This start is not fair, and we have no hope for a peaceful election,” said Mr. Kiharara.
Ms. Proscovia Kagwisagye, also a candidate in Rugazi Cell, said voters were checking themselves in the register and expressed optimism for a peaceful election. She noted that residents were advised to register earlier and that polling agents were following set guidelines.
Voters line up behind candidates of their choice ay St Mary's play ground in Katete Central Cell in Mbarara City South Division. (PHOTO: JOVITA HASTO)
In Mandela Cell, Mbarara City South, Ms. Hadijja Namasera reported that delays in delivering the correct registers caused unrest. “People came as early as 7:00 a.m., but the registers delivered were for Kisenyi Cell, which disorganized the process. People have not voted yet, though residents support our two candidates,” she said.
She added that residents were still verifying their names in the correct register before lining up behind their candidates of choice.
“We are waiting for calm to resume so we can vote. Residents who didn’t find their names almost fought. Police were deployed to maintain order. No arrests were made, but people were warned to maintain peace,” she explained.
Mr. Sunday Badru, another resident of Mandela Cell, urged voters to remain patient and allow authorities to resolve the situation. He warned that voting might not take place due to the time lost in the chaos.
In Ibanda District, two polling stations in Bufunda Ward—Ibanda Junior School and Mpira—also experienced disruptions due to missing names in the registers, despite high turnout from local residents.
“We request the concerned authorities to resolve this. No one from neighboring cells is voting here—we all know each other. I can't waste time causing chaos; we’ve already lost a lot of time and may not vote at all. Let residents be allowed to vote,” one voter said.
Meanwhile, in Ishongororo Town Council, Ibanda District, most candidates were unopposed, and voters primarily focused on verifying their names in the register.
Torch Media Africa
