Over 127,000 Voters Stayed Away from Rukungiri LC5 Chairperson Elections
Rukungiri: Rukungiri District registered a low voter turnout during the LC5 chairperson general elections, with more than half of the registered voters failing to participate.
According to official statistics, Rukungiri District has 206,266 registered voters. Out of these, only 78,894 voters (38.2%) turned up to cast their ballots, while 127,372 voters (61.8%) did not participate in the elections.
The elections were won by Charles Andrewson Katebite, who was declared the newly elected LC5 Chairperson for Rukungiri District. Katebite secured 40,946 votes (52.44%), defeating two other candidates. Angelo Twinomuhagi Bagorogoza, an independent candidate, came second with 20,934 votes (26.81%), while Hillary Ainembazi of the Peoples Front for Freedom (PFF) received 16,196 votes (20.74%).
This means that out of the total registered voters, only 78,894 people voted, while 127,372 voters did not turn up.
Speaking to our reporter, the LC3 Chairperson of Nyakishenyi Sub-county, Wednesday Twinomujuni, attributed the low voter turnout to the imprisonment of Dr. Kizza Besigye. He said that some opposition supporters boycotted the elections in protest, citing the detention of their leader.
Twinomujuni also noted that some residents felt the elections would not benefit them, so they chose to stay home and focus on their daily activities. He urged citizens who skipped the polls to reconsider their position, emphasizing that elections give people the power to choose leaders who can improve service delivery in areas such as healthcare, education, and transport.
CUE IN ……… TWINOMUJUNI….RR
The elect Municipal Councillor representing Rwakabengo Ward, Patrick Natukunda said that fear of losing jobs prevented some voters from participating, especially those working under employers. He added that long distances to polling stations and work commitments, particularly for voters working far from home, also contributed to the low turnout.
Natukunda called on the government to shorten the election process so that citizens can request a single leave day from work, which he believes would help increase voter participation.
CUE IN ……… NATUKUNDA….RR