Low voter turn out registered in upcountry LC elections

Voter apathy is what defined yesterday’s municipality/division vote. The masses stayed put in their homes and others running their businesses, leading to a low turn-out.

Twenty-two municipalities and four divisions (Kampala) around the country picked their leaders. In Moroto, there were reports of late delivery of materials to the polling stations. Voting started at 10am.

Some of the voters said they are disappointed with the recent general polls where they claim to have witnessed results manipulated.
“We are better keeping at home looking for food for our children than waste our time voting,” Ms Jane Nacha, a resident of Moroto said.

And in Gulu, work went on as usual with streets filled with only baton-welding police men. No sizeable number of voters showed enthusiasm in casting their ballot. The first hours of the morning saw no one turning up to vote.

In Arua, the opposition FDC candidate Swaleh Buga had all reasons to worry because voters have refused to come. Mr Buga said the low voter turn-up could affect the outcome of the poll and he does not get elected into office.

He said the voters are tired of the exercise because of election-related malpractices that marred the parliamentary polls.
By 1 pm, not more that 200 people had cast their votes in some few sampled polling stations.

In the southwest, voting was very calm. Materials were, however, delivered late.In Mbarara, incumbent Wilson Tumwine seeking a third term cast his vote at Lugazi Polling Station. But he was the 24th voter, according to the register.

Mr Tumwiine faces FDC’s Stanley Katembeya and Deus Musinguzi (ind).
But in Lira Municipality, things could have started at a low note, only to turn rowdy on the eve of the polling when incumbent MP Jimmy Akena had his vehicle stoned. Police found stacks of cash allegedly destined for voters pockets.

Police came to his rescue but impounded his car. It was released yesterday morning.

Reported by Sheila Naturinda, Joseph Mazige, Robert Muhereza, Steven Ariong James Eriku, Warom Felix Okello, Fred Anyiine, Frankfurt Kutesa and Husdon Apunyo