BVVK Machines Used for First Time in Rukungiri

Rukungiri: Biometric Voter Verification Kits(BVVKs) machines have been used for the first time in Rukungiri District during today’s January 27, ongoing municipal mayoral and municipal councillor elections.

According to observations by our news reporter across several polling stations in Rukungiri Municipality, all stations visited were using BVVK machines. This is the first election exercise in 2026 within Rukungiri District where the machines have been fully deployed.

During the January 15, presidential and parliamentary elections, BVVK machines failed to operate countrywide, a problem that also affected Rukungiri District. Similarly, during the January 22, local council elections, the machines were not used in Rukungiri, although they operated in some other districts.

Today January 27, the machines were seen operating at various polling stations in Rukungiri Municipality, including Kifunjo, Rukungiri Stadium 1, St. Paul’s Community School, Universal, Kayembe A and B, Christ the King, Mirembe Pride Secondary School and among others.

Several presiding officers at these polling stations declined to comment. However, one presiding officer, identified only as Enid from Mirembe Pride Secondary School polling station in Kakyeka Cell, Northern A Ward, Western Division, said the machines were operating normally. She reported one incident where the machine failed to verify the fingerprints of an 80-year-old woman, who was later sent back home without voting.

When contacted, the Rukungiri District Electoral Returning Officer, Abas K. Narama, said that by press time, no major complaints regarding the BVVK machines had been reported. He added that all electoral materials arrived at polling stations on time and that the voting exercise was proceeding smoothly without interference.

One of the mayoral candidates, Boaz Kansiime Matita of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), after casting his vote, said the machines help scan voters and ballot papers, which he believes will reduce cases of electoral malpractice. He expressed confidence that the final results would reflect a free and fair election.

Rukungiri Municipality has three contenders for the mayoral seat: Boaz Kansiime Matita (NRM), Denis Ngabirano (PFF), and Otiko Barikudembe (JEEMA).