By Nasser Kayanja
The ongoing Local Council I (LC I) elections have been disrupted in several areas amid allegations of electoral malpractice, with voting suspended in some villages after disputes over voter registers.
In Kyebando Central Zone, Kampala, the voting process was halted following disagreements among voters who claimed that electoral officials were using an unofficial voter register.
The situation reportedly escalated when angry voters seized the register from the polling station presiding officer, Muhumuza Godfrey, forcing him to stop the exercise.
The contest in Kyebando Central Zone was between Hajji Musa Nsereko and the incumbent chairperson, Kajimu Rasilous Kanyike.
Hajji Musa Nsereko accused his opponent of deploying groups of people to disrupt the election process and intimidate voters.
“Some individuals were frustrating voters and preventing them from participating freely in the election,” Nsereko alleged.
Presiding officer Muhumuza Godfrey said a group of people attacked him and tore up voter registers, making it impossible for polling to continue.
Residents also alleged that one of the contestants introduced a third voter register containing names of non-residents, further deepening the dispute.
Elsewhere, voting was also chaotic in Busoigo Cell, Northern Division, Kamuli Municipality, where the LC I chairperson election was cancelled due to disagreements over the voter register.
Independent candidate Kawoma David claimed that the election was called off despite indications that he was leading, alleging that the cancellation followed “orders from above.”
The NRM flag bearer for Busoigo Cell, Bite Willy, blamed Kamuli Municipality MP Namatovu for allegedly interfering in the election process, saying the dispute arose after officials failed to use the agreed voter register.
By press time, Electoral Commission officials had not announced a date for fresh elections in the affected areas.
The incidents have raised concerns about the management of the LC I elections in some parts of the country, despite reports that voting proceeded peacefully in many other areas.