The ruling National Resistance Movement has swept almost all LCII seats in Kampala and surrounding areas, extending its dominance from last week’s LCI elections.
In Lubaga Division, NRM candidates won all 12 parishes where voting was completed, according to the party registrar Mr Robert Kato.
‘The NRM has won 100 per cent of the LC II elections in the 12 parishes,’ Mr Kato said.
Among those declared winners are Fredrick Kalema of Nateete Parish, Richard Masaba of Rubaga Parish, Naava Matembe of Lungujja Parish, Mahad Kaweesa of Namirembe-Bakuli Parish, Richard Ssemakula of Libya Parish, Fred Kazibwe of Ndeeba Parish and Abudallah Kitata of Najjanankumbi II Parish.
Voting in Kisubi Parish was not completed after the exercise was marred by violence. Mr Kato said the chaos was allegedly triggered by opponents who ferried voters from other areas.
The Electoral Commission is expected to announce a new date for the Kisubi Parish election after reviewing the circumstances that led to the cancellation. Attempts to get a comment from EC officials in Rubaga were futile after journalists were blocked from accessing their offices.
In Kisenyi One Parish, Central Village, incumbent Adam Kassim Kyazze was unopposed and retained the position. In Buwanika Village, Kisenyi One Parish, elections did not take place after LC1 elections were suspended following violence over alleged malpractice.
‘The register was not followed. People from other villages came to vote for their candidates. The exercise turned violent forcing the security personnel to shoot in the air to disperse the rowdy crowds,’ said Mr Swaleh Tibamwenda, the current LC1 Chairperson for Buwanika Village, who has held the position for 40 years and is seeking re-election on the NRM ticket.
Mr Tibamwenda said the introduction of multiparty politics has changed how leaders are chosen. “Unlike in the past when people voted local leaders basing on their ability to lead, the introduction of multiparty politics has seen leaders elected on the basis of the party they subscribe, a decision that has given an opportunity to non-performers to take on leadership roles,” he said.
In other Kampala results, Mr Tampler Kaweesa, running as an independent in Nakasero III Parish, got 18 votes against NRM’s Hamis Kwesiga Balinda who got 42 votes. In Kololo IV Parish, NRM’s Alisen Alex Nyangabyaki was elected unopposed.
Wakiso goes NRM
In Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, all six parish chairpersons were declared unopposed. Five of the six wards were won by NRM candidates, with the South Ward going to Democratic Party’s Ssematimba Kasanafu.
The winners include Mr Sulaiman Kajubi, Chairperson Kazo Ward, Ronald Ssemwaka, Chairperson Nansana North Ward, Mr Yusuf Nakibinge, Chairperson Nansana West Ward, Mr Kasanafu Ssematimba, Chairperson Nansana South Ward, and Mr Richard Kasenge, Chairperson Nansana East Ward.
Nansana Division Chairperson Mr Samuel Mugabi said the municipality had shifted politically. “We’ve got five chairpersons who have been unopposed, and they’re only waiting to be declared by the EC, meaning that Nansana has totally changed from opposition to NRM,’ he said.
He also warned outgoing chairpersons against withholding office stamps. ‘The issue of the stamps: in the previous elections, there was a problem that there were some LCs who never wanted to bring back the stamps. But this time round, I want to inform the outgoing chairpersons, please bring back the stamps to the incoming chairpersons, so that they serve their people,’ he added.
Close contests and disputes
In Nsambya, Makindye Division, Ibirot Walter was elected LCII chairperson at Nsambya Railway Primary School polling station after defeating incumbent Bashir Juma. Walter secured 26 votes against Juma’s 14.
‘The elections have been peaceful and I would like to commend the voter for turning up, and also thank the incumbent Chairman Mr Bashir Juma who’s also known as Chairman Bashir, he worked but now it is time for a new person to take on the role,’ Mr Ibirot said.
Juma, the NRM flagbearer, rejected the outcome. ‘I am not content with the outcome of the election because there are issues surrounding this polling station that need to be addressed,’ Juma said. He said he would seek clarification but did not specify the issues.
In Nakawa Division, voting for LC2 Chairperson of Naguru I Parish was delayed for several hours over claims involving serving police officers. Mr Emeritus Barigo Simon alleged that one LC1 committee member and another contestant, Mr Salim Latif Chebet, were serving officers. Mr Chebet has since withdrawn.
“We have a predicament of two police officers taking part in elective politics; one is contesting and yet he’s a serving Police officer while another was elected at the village committee and yet the law is clear a civil servant does not have to take part in elective politics,” said Mr Barigo.
Mr Gilbert Twesigye, the Electoral Commission Returning Officer for Nakawa Division, allowed voting to proceed, saying he had not received any communication from EC headquarters stopping the exercise.
“I have not received any communication from the headquarters stopping me from holding these elections today, meaning we’re going to hold the election as you proceed with your petition; the headquarters will give you feedback because the headquarters petitioned the headquarters and didn’t issue me a copy of your petition,” Twesigye said.
Mr Barigo and his supporters boycotted and left the polling station. The election proceeded and Ms Namwena Zaamu emerged winner with 12 votes.
The NRM, which has been in power for 40 years since the bush war that brought President Museveni to power, continues to use state structures to consolidate its position across the country since multiparty politics was reintroduced in 2005.