As per Monitor Publication’s assessment of the exercise, while the majority of candidates who emerged victorious subscribed to the NRM party, a good fraction was declared winners unopposed.
In Gulu City’s Queens Parish in Pece-Laroo Division, the Electoral Commission (EC) declared NRM’s Baltham Akera unopposed amidst protest from the supporters of his opponent George Ochan after his candidacy was annulled over irregular nomination.
Whereas Mr Ochan vowed to challenge the results in court, the EC explained that his candidacy was cancelled after learning that he was irregularly nominated since he did not appear in the list of his village’s executive council.
In Arua City, at Old Bus Park/Bazar ward, Mr Abu Juma was elected chairman after the formation of the executive committee, which turned chaotic as members opposed the inclusion of those who are not in the register.
This halted the exercise for some time, and it was later resolved in a meeting where the elections were concluded.
“People wanted to confuse these LC2 elections with the NRM executive committee at that level; that is why they were including members who are in their register,” Mr Mahmood Ijosiga, a member of the NRM Entrepreneurs League, said.
Information shared by Arua City Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Mr Oshurian Ezale, indicates that out of 54 parishes in Ayivu East and West divisions, 36 contestants for the LC2 positions were unopposed.
In Adjumani District, Mr Dominic Ondoga, the former LC2 chairperson for Ciaha Parish, has been re-elected unopposed to serve another five-year term.
Speaking to the Monitor Publication yesterday, Mr Ondoga said he would prioritise engaging relevant leaders to fence the parish office as a measure to curb the rampant theft of government property as well as the push for the fencing of Oliga Primary School.
He also pledged to work with other authorities to ensure that all primary schools in the parish are adequately equipped with desks.
In Soroti City, at Senior Quarters Parish that comprises 11 cells, queues had formed by 10am as residents said they were looking for leaders who could address insecurity, poor health services, and access to government programmes like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, etc.
Mr Alex Emuron Esekeya won with 59 votes, beating opponents Andrew Auruku (8 votes) and Patrick Asonya who got 2 votes.
Mr Emuron, who has also played a big role in restoring sanity, security and peace in the area, has pledged to treat residents of Senior Quarters equally and ensure that the elderly remain peaceful, united and secure.
In Oyam District, voters at Abela Parish in Alekt Sub-county elected NRM’s Denis Owani. Mr Owani polled 86 votes, defeating the incumbent, Mr Benson Odongo of the opposition Uganda Peoples Congress party who got 55 votes.
Mr Odongo became LC2 chairman following the death of Gilbert Anek in 2013.
In Malaba Town Council, the elections officer, Mr Simon Okwate, told this newspaper that in most wards, NRM flag bearers went through unopposed.
“Unlike the LC1 elections, the LC2 elections have been the most peaceful elections where my ward supervisors reported no competition for positions,” he said.
In Malaba Ward, Mr Albino Otabong was re-elected to serve his 6th term.
In Budaka and neighbouring districts, the NRM party swept the majority of LC2 chairperson seats. Out of 76 parishes in Budaka, 46 NRM flag bearers went through unopposed, and the remaining 30 were also NRM-leaning.
The Budaka District NRM chairperson, Mr Musa Kyebene, said the ruling party won in almost all parishes. “This win shows the party’s strengths and popularity,” he said.
In Mbalala, the elections were largely peaceful. The incumbent LC2 chairman of Nsoma Ward, Mr Kiti Yahaya, retained his position unopposed.
Meanwhile, in Masindi, Mr Patrick Alimawu, the incumbent chairperson of Western Ward, was elected unopposed after no candidate came forward to challenge him.
Other NRM candidates in Masindi also went through unopposed, including Mr Deogratius Jakisa (Kijura Parish), Mr Muhammad Lukumu (Kamugo Parish), and Mr Ahmed Gunya (Kiruhi Parish).
In Kibaale District, the majority of parish candidates were also elected unopposed.
Ms Jackline Aluhairwe, the district returning officer, said out of the 57 parishes in Kibaale, elections were conducted in only 11 parishes, while 46 parishes did not have elections because candidates were unopposed.
In Fort Portal City, the elections were similarly characterised by limited activity. According to the Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Mr Isaac Byamugisha, the city has 25 parishes, but polls were conducted in only seven, including the Northern Division.
In Mbarara, the EC Returning Officer for the city, Ms Violet Atuhairwe, said: “We have 23 wards in Mbarara City, and we are conducting elections in only two wards because the other 21 went through unopposed.”
In Biharwe West Ward, Mr Johnson Rushegyera Mugisha (NRM) won with 38 votes against Mr Abdul Ssegawa (independent), who garnered 27 votes.
Mr Wilber Twesigye (NRM) won in Rwakishaki Ward with 77 votes against Mr Francis Kahangwa (independent), who got 50 votes.
In Ibanda District, voting was peaceful in several parishes.
Returning Officer Ntamuh Ahas said Buhweju District has 105 parishes, but 67 parishes had unopposed candidates.
“The exercise kicked off at 9am with the arrival of participants, and by noon, the exercise came to an end. We did not register any case of violence,” he said.
In Kamwenge District, returning officer Daniel Nayebare said candidates for the LC2 chairperson’s seat in 28 out of 71 parishes went through unopposed, and the voting exercise was peaceful as voters elected their new leaders.
“All the candidates that went through unopposed belong to the NRM party. The voting exercise is peaceful as we have not registered any cases of violence or disputes,” Mr Nayebare said.
The Rubanda assistant returning officer, Mr Godfrey Arinaitwe, said elections in the 70 parishes in the district were peaceful.
The Kabale District Returning Officer, Ms Aisha Nansubuga, said around 10 candidates for the LC2 chairperson’s seat went through unopposed.
“We have 79 parishes in Kabale District and about 10 candidates vying for the LC2 seat went through unopposed, although they have to appoint their executive committee members. The election exercise has been peaceful with no challenges so far registered,” Ms Nansubuga said.
At the voting exercise that took place at Christ the King Church ground in Kabale Town, Ms Jemimah Kabakira-bo (NRM) retained her position as LC2 chairperson for Central Ward in Kabale Municipality.
She polled 37 votes, defeating her only opponent, Ms Medius Byaruganda (independent), who got 3 votes.
In Mityana Municipality, NRM’s Idi Kisekka won the Katakala Ward seat after defeating two other contenders, Noah Wamalwa and Godfrey Lumu, after garnering 54 votes.
In Mukono, NRM candidates emerged as winners in many parts of Mukono Central Division, though the exercise was marred by allegations of electoral irregularities.
At Fairland Playground in Nakabago, where elections for Ntawo Ward were conducted, Dr Paul Kiwuka got 70 votes, defeating John Ronald Ssebunnya Ssekingo, who got three votes.
However, Mr Ssebunnya rejected the results, accusing his opponent of electoral malpractice. He alleged that Dr Kiwuka influenced voters by offering free transport and claimed that some individuals who participated in the election were not on the official register. Mr Ssebunnya also questioned Dr Kiwuka’s eligibility, arguing that as a government employee, he should not have contested.
In response, Dr Kiwuka dismissed the accusations, maintaining that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner. He denied any involvement in voter bribery or manipulation.
ABOUT THE ELECTIONS
Elections for LC2 chairpersons, also known as Parish or Ward Chairpersons, were conducted in 10,718 parishes across Uganda yesterday, Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi told the media.
The law provides for an executive committee at parish administrative unit consisting of eleven (11) members including the chairperson, vice chairperson. The law also requires that at least four of these members must be female.