Youth council elections in Kisoro District were delayed for several hours on Wednesday after delegates boycotted the vote, demanding payment of transport facilitation allowances they said had been promised to them.
Hundreds of youth delegates from across the district gathered at Shaaza Playground in Kisoro Municipality, where voting was scheduled to take place, but refused to proceed until their grievances were addressed.
Several delegates said they had travelled long distances from their respective sub-counties after being informed that their transport costs would be refunded by the Electoral Commission and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), a practice they said had been followed in previous Special Interest Groups (SIG) elections.
A delegation from Bukimbiri County said: ‘We were informed to come for elections in Kisoro Municipality as our transport would be refunded by the Electoral Commission and NRM,’ adding that no facilitation had been paid upon arrival.
Delegate Wilson Akimana voiced frustration shared by many protesters, saying: ‘We were promised facilitation from the Electoral Commission and NRM but were denied. We suspect the money might have been swindled by some individuals.’
Addressing the aggrieved youth, NRM Kisoro District Finance Secretary Joachim Hashakimana said the party had not received any funds meant for facilitation.
‘NRM DEC Kisoro did not receive any facilitation meant for the youth,’ he said, urging calm and advising the delegates ‘to seek intervention from NRM Offices.’
NRM Kisoro District Chairperson Dr Philemon Mateke later intervened, appealing to the delegates to allow the process to proceed.
‘Please participate in the election. The NRM office did not receive any money for facilitating the youth elections,’ Mateke said, adding: ‘I will make a follow-up if the Electoral Commission released that money.’
Following the assurances, voting commenced at about 3:00 pm and concluded at 7:30 pm. Mateke encouraged the youth to take part, saying: ‘Exercise your democracy by choosing your leaders.’
Independent candidate Juliet Kamusiime won the District Female Youth Councilor seat with 222 votes, defeating NRM’s Judith Uwimana, who polled 129 votes, and Charity Nyiramaho, who received one vote.
Sam Kiiza of the NRM was declared unopposed as District Male Youth Councilor after his sole challenger, Harerimana David Karisa, withdrew and pledged support.
‘I thank all delegates across the district and promise to work with the youth while presenting them in the district council,’ Kiiza said.
Baker Niyigaba was also elected unopposed as District Male Councilor for Persons with Disabilities. ‘I thank the government of Uganda for considering people living with disabilities by including them in government programs,’ he said.
The election for District Female Councilor representing Persons with Disabilities was postponed after ending in a tie between Eunice Baganda and Nyirasenga Jackline, who each received 50 votes.
Kisoro District Returning Officer Daniel Nayebare said the re-election would be rescheduled after consultations with headquarters and announced through local radio stations.