Crowds turn up to check names on voters’ register

Ugandans have turned up in big numbers to cross-check their names on the national voters’ register. The display of the voters’ register started on Wednesday and is expected to end on August 31.

A countrywide survey shows that voters turned up in droves to cross check their particulars. “The turn up on the first day was quite encouraging,” said Mr Luke Ssemu, the EC supervisor in charge of Falkland Cell A in Masaka Municipality.
Mr Ali Kabugu, an official from the registrar’s office in Masaka, said more numbers are expected in the coming days.

However, there have been incidences of missing names on the register and multiple registrations in most centres. In Nakawa and Makindye divisions in Kampala, there were cases of duplication of names and photos.

The Electoral Commission has already discovered more than 159,000 suspected duplicate voters who may face stiff penalties. In western Uganda, school managers asked the EC to pay them to access display centres located within their school premises. The Mbarara District registrar, Mr Dan Ruhimba, said some display centres located within schools could not be accessed because its holiday and head teachers were demanding payment in order to access the centres.

In Bushenyi District, voters complained that their requests for transfers to other stations were not effected. In Moyo District, the display exercise at Lowi Parish hit a snag after fire gutted the house where the voters’ register were being kept.
In south western region, the display exercise was marred by double registration and registration of underage voters.

In Arua District, about 50 people had reportedly registered twice, while in Nebbi District, there was low turn up with residents saying they are not aware of the exercise.

Ms Ruth Ojok, an update officer, said: “Yesterday (Wednesday) I only received 20 people who turned up to check their names.” The Kabarole District Registrar, Mr Sulaiman Kato, said the turn up on Wednesday was low because it was public holiday in honour of fallen president Godfrey Binaisa.

Kamwenge District Registrar, Valley Kanzire Tumwesigye said rain interrupted the exercise on the Wednesday. Reported by Mercy Nalugo, Isaac Khisa, Michael J Ssali, Felix Basiime, James Eriku, Jackie Adure & Cissy Makumbi Felix Warom, Martin Okudi, Benedict Okethwengu Brenda A. Kashaki, Uwera Runyambo, Paul Aruho, Robert Muhereza, Jennina Aryampwera, Francis Mugerwa, Thembo Kahungu & Ronald Tumusiime.