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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Uganda /Elections & Politics

High Voter Turnout Marks Return of LC1 Elections in Kamwenge

From AllAfrica Uganda · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Kamwenge District held Local Council One (LC1) elections for the first time in over eight years, with residents eager to choose leaders promoting transparency and development.
  • Voters participated in large numbers, with one polling station seeing about 400 residents cast ballots in a peaceful and orderly process.
  • Newly elected leaders are expected to strengthen accountability and serve as a link between communities and government programs.

Kamwenge District residents turned out in large numbers to elect Local Council One (LC1) chairpersons, marking the end of an eight-year hiatus for village council elections. The high turnout signaled a strong desire among citizens to choose leaders who would champion transparency, combat corruption, and effectively mobilize communities for government development programs.

At Rukunyu Primary School's Rukunyu Village polling station, approximately 400 residents participated in a peaceful exercise. Election Presiding Officer Ford Muhumuza confirmed the process was transparent and orderly, with all candidates and their agents observing the vote count. "The voting exercise was peaceful and transparent. Every valid vote was counted openly in the presence of candidates, their agents, and members of the public. The results reflect the will of the voters, and Esau Muhwezi has been duly declared the winner," Muhumuza stated.

The voting exercise was peaceful and transparent. Every valid vote was counted openly in the presence of candidates, their agents, and members of the public. The results reflect the will of the voters, and Esau Muhwezi has been duly declared the winner.

โ€” Ford MuhumuzaElection Presiding Officer describing the peaceful and transparent process at Rukunyu Village polling station.

Residents like Sarah Katushabe of Rukunyu Village expressed their satisfaction with the opportunity to elect leaders attuned to their community's needs. "We have waited for these elections for many years. We wanted leaders who are honest, accountable, and ready to mobilize communities to benefit from government programmes. That is why so many people turned up to vote," Katushabe said. Similar enthusiasm was observed in Bukonderwa Village, where over 226 voters participated. The newly elected LC1 leaders are now tasked with enhancing accountability, addressing community challenges, and facilitating access to government initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods.

We have waited for these elections for many years. We wanted leaders who are honest, accountable, and ready to mobilize communities to benefit from government programmes. That is why so many people turned up to vote.

โ€” Sarah KatushabeA resident of Rukunyu Village explaining the importance of the elections and the community's desire for accountable leadership.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by AllAfrica Uganda. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.