The petitioners led by Michael Mulindwa Nakumusana, the Chairperson for Nyendo-Mukungwe division, have asked the Electoral Commission to consider splitting some parishes into more than one register update station to ensure that everyone is covered.
Speaking at the launch of the report titled Reviewing the Form and Substance of the 2021 Elections by the Julius Nyerere Leadership Center and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung at Makerere University, Dr. Nansozi Muwanga, the Executive Director, stated that a large portion of Ugandans, particularly in villages, do not understand the significance of voting.
Byabakama clarified that the extension is not a fresh registration but an opportunity for eligible citizens who have not yet registered to do so. It will also allow registered voters to transfer to a new polling station, provided they prove residency or origin, and enable voters to verify and confirm their details at update centers or via the EC website.
Ggoobi expressed concern that during heated election periods, many Ugandans tend to abandon their economic activities and focus excessively on politics, which negatively impacts productivity and economic growth.
Moses Mulindwa, the NRM Assistant Registrar for Makonzi Parish in Bukakata Sub-county, reported a low turnout for the registration exercise, as many residents stayed away in protest against the alleged harassment. He noted that the government's failure to withdraw the army from landing sites has frustrated livelihoods, fueling resentment toward the NRM party.
Bishop Nina noted that most religious leaders in Lango have a long history of taking sides in politics, a practice he said misleads the flock and vowed to bring to an end.
Rosemary Nansubuga Sseninde, the Director for Mobilization at the NRM Secretariat says they do not want to subject their members to primary elections to choose their flagbearers for the various positions, due to grave consequences the party suffered in the last general election.
According to Nsambu, the operational licenses the government granted to the Telecom companies require them to make voice communication possible in every district of the country, saying this can be upgraded to provide internet connectivity.
“Someone has sold off his house and sunk the money into elections. Does that person come with the mindset that I will lose? That is why elections have become a do-or-die affair,” Byabakama remarked.
The directive, requires applicants to through the community security structures, including Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Internal Security Officers (DISO) and Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) for verification, and the commission has been at the center of public scrutiny following this directive.
Many local residents have reported being asked to pay between Shs 500 to 1000 for voter registration papers, which has caused particular concern among those who are unable to afford the fees.
Protests, led by Parent’s Teacher’s Association-PTA chairperson Stephen Olele, have intensified as parents oppose a proposal to temporarily relocate pupils to Amagoro Primary School, citing the long distance that would be particularly challenging for minors.
The voter registration update exercise, which began on Monday, saw an influx of Turkana residents from Kenya, many of whom have lived in Moroto for decades, seeking voter registration.
At various update stations in Mukono, Electoral Commission (EC) officials were seen idle for much of the day, with few residents approaching them for registration. The lack of awareness about the exercise was evident.
In Nabweru, Nansana Municipality, Agatha Mulawa, a local resident, woke up to find people sitting on benches near the town council offices. Surprised, she learned that the Electoral Commission (EC) officials were on-site to register new voters and update the existing voter register. A first-time voter, Mulawa had assumed that registration was automatic after receiving a national ID.
A statement issued by the Electoral Commission indicates that the Voters Register shall be publicized for each of the 10,717 parishes or wards throughout Uganda from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on each of the appointed dates, including weekends.
Muguzi also said that companies contracted by the government should be banned from financing political parties or candidates. “Those that are contracted by the government bankroll the party in power and its individuals, and we see quid-pro-quo corruption taking place.”
They believe this approach will help eliminate election violence, division, and other malpractices that previously marred primary elections, ultimately strengthening the party's performance in general elections.