WAKISO
By Johannah Nantongo
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has emerged as the dominant force in the recently concluded LC3 local government elections in Wakiso District, winning the bulk of the available positions.
The contest largely pitted candidates from the ruling NRM against those of the National Unity Platform (NUP). Wakiso has 27 sub-counties and town councils, and results indicate that the NRM claimed most of them.
NUP managed to secure only a few areas, including Namayumba Town Council and Ndejje Division, which was won by NUP’s Shafiq Ssonko. A handful of independents also performed well: Felix Ssemujju won Wakiso Sub-county, Joseph Ssemugera Bitokote took Kyengera, and Barker Kazibwe claimed Kasangati Town Council.
With those results accounted for, the NRM is reported to have won the remaining 16 sub-counties and divisions.
According to Wakiso District Returning Officer Tolbert Musinguzi, several NRM candidates posted decisive victories. Fredson Mukalazi won Wakiso Town Council with 5,149 votes, Samuel Ssali Wakaalo took Kakiri Sub-county with 3,719 votes, and Moses Bagala secured Kakiri Town Council with 944 votes. Hawah Mbabazi won Gombe Division with 13,968 votes, Samuel Mugabi Bukenya claimed Nansana Division with 31,034 votes, while Robert Maseruka won Nabweru Division with 8,387 votes, among others.
Musinguzi described the LC3 election process as generally calm and orderly.
However, some NUP candidates have disputed the declared outcomes, alleging that results announced by the returning officer did not reflect what transpired at polling stations. Peter Ntume, the incumbent LC3 chairperson for Mende Sub-county, said he was shocked after NRM’s Wilson Mulondo Ndawula was declared winner with 3,028 votes against his 2,698.
Similarly, Ronald Kasirivu, the NUP incumbent in Gombe Division, voiced dissatisfaction with the outcome, claiming that NRM’s Hawah Mbabazi did not win at any polling station despite being declared the overall victor.
Despite the complaints, official results released by the district electoral authorities show the NRM maintaining firm control of Wakiso’s LC3 leadership.