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🇺🇬 Uganda /Elections & Politics

NRM Candidate Walks Out As Mubende LC1 Election Ends in Suspension

From AllAfrica Uganda · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A Local Council One (LC1) election in Mubende Municipality was suspended after an Independent candidate withdrew and endorsed the NUP candidate.
  • This move angered the NRM candidate, who also walked out, leaving only NUP supporters at the polling station.
  • Election officials halted the process due to the "prevailing circumstances" and the impossibility of continuing transparently.

A Local Council One (LC1) election in Kibaati Village, Mubende Municipality, was suspended Tuesday following a dramatic turn of events that saw two of the three candidates withdraw or walk out. The election, which initially featured John Zziwa of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Jude Kezaala of the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Vincent Kamukama as an Independent, descended into chaos.

We only allowed registered voters into the polling area to maintain order and avoid interference from non-voters.

— Kalema MusaAn election official explaining the restrictions at the polling station.

Anticipating potential unrest, election officials implemented restrictions, allowing only registered voters into the fenced polling area. However, the process took an unexpected turn when Independent candidate Vincent Kamukama, realizing he had minimal support, withdrew from the race. He publicly urged his supporters to back the NUP candidate, Jude Kezaala.

The process could not continue under the prevailing circumstances. We had to suspend the exercise to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence.

— David MwankaReturning Officer explaining the decision to suspend the election.

This endorsement immediately angered the NRM candidate, John Zziwa. He also walked out of the election, instructing his supporters to leave the polling area. This left Kezaala's supporters as the only group remaining in the queue. Election officials attempted to count Kezaala's supporters but faced repeated interruptions, ultimately leading to the halt of the exercise.

Our supporters remained in the line as required, and we expected the results to be declared. The repeated interruptions raised unnecessary concerns.

— Jude KezaalaNUP candidate expressing frustration over the election delays.

Returning Officer David Mwanka stated that continuing the process was impossible under the "prevailing circumstances" and that the suspension was necessary "to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence." NUP candidate Jude Kezaala expressed frustration over the delays, while Kamukama defended his decision to support Kezaala based on shared ideas. NRM candidate John Zziwa called for a fresh election under clearer guidelines, arguing the developments rendered the process unfair.

I realized I had no realistic chance of winning. I decided to support another candidate whose ideas I believed in.

— Vincent KamukamaIndependent candidate defending his decision to withdraw and endorse the NUP candidate.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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