Low Turnup, Confusion, and Security Concerns Mar NRM Village Elections in Rukungiri Municipality
Rukungiri: As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) village structure elections went underway across Uganda on May 6, Rukungiri Municipality has registered low voter turn up at most polling stations visited by our news reporter.
Some of the polling stations visited by our reporter that recorded low voter turn up include Nyamayenje A in Ndorero Ward, Nyamayenje B in Rwentondo Ward, Bunura Cell, Katenga Cell, and Rwenkuba Cell in Rwakabengo Ward and among others.
Patrick Mercy Tumwebaze who was aspiring for the LC1 chairperson NRM flag bearer seat in Rwenkuba Cell, Rwakabengo Ward blamed the low turnout on the government’s failure to properly sensitize the public.
He also said that many voters are discouraged because past leaders have not fulfilled their promises, leaving people frustrated and uninterested in the elections.
CUE IN…. TUMWEBAZE // RR
Another candidate for Rwenkuba cell August Tumwine urged the government to always reach out to the community to mobilize voters. He also called for fresh elections every term instead of maintaining leaders without giving others a chance to compete.
CUE IN….TUMWINE//RR
The registrar for Rwenkuba Cell, Mark Niwasasira also blamed the low turn up to poor sensitization, which caused delays and discouraged people from voting.
The registrar for Katenga Cell Emily Ninsiima also explained that many residents were not aware of this election. She said some who wanted to contest missed the nomination deadlines because they received the information too late.
Registrars also complained of security absence at some polling stations.
CUE IN….NINSIIMA // RR // ENG
Our news reporter also found that some candidates contesting for LC1 chairperson positions were also serving as village registrars. In Nyamayenje B Cell, Kagumaho Nalis was both the registrar and a candidate, which contravenes NRM’s election rules as he neither resigned nor informed the district registrar before contesting.
The Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Steven Nsubuga Bewayo said the district has over 831 villages, making it hard to provide security at every polling station. However, he said security heads shared their phone contacts to respond quickly to any emergency.
On the issue of low turnout, the RDC said more people were expected to vote in the afternoon after attending to personal duties, as voting started at 10:00 am.
CUE IN….RDC NSUBUGA // RUG // ENG