Elections cancelled in three villages over chaos in Busia

What the report says

The Independent Uganda, citing URN, reported that the Electoral Commission cancelled Local Council One elections in three villages in Busia district after disorder broke out at polling stations. The affected areas were Solo B in Western Division, Buwumba in Dabani sub-county, and Buhamuna in Buhehe sub-county. The report said the disruption involved voters allegedly preventing presiding officers from using the voters’ register during the verification process.

In Buhamuna, incumbent LC1 chairperson and NRM candidate Godfrey Budaha alleged that his rival’s supporters entered the polling station during register verification, seized the register and destroyed it. Budaha said he was assaulted and injured, and that a police case had been opened at Busia Central Police Station. Sylvester Offiti, the Buhehe sub-county community development officer, also said he was injured while trying to intervene in the disturbance, while another reported victim, Kacibert Bwire, linked the chaos to complaints that some supporters of independent candidates could not find their names in the register.

Wilberforce Lwagula, the Busia district NRM party administrator, said the party had recorded concerns in the three villages and planned to engage the Electoral Commission about repeating the polls. The report also quoted Electoral Commission supervisor Flavia Ajambo as saying the elections were cancelled after advice from senior officials, following the disturbances.

Esther Wamboka, the Busia district assistant returning officer, said officials were required to follow Electoral Commission procedures on voter verification and condemned the conduct reported at the polling stations. The commission is expected to organize fresh elections in the affected villages, according to the report.