NELSON K
The LC1 elections at Omukakyeeka polling station in Western Division, Rukungiri Municipality, were abruptly postponed on Tuesday following a dramatic standoff between voters amid accusations of voter infiltration and irregularities.
Chaos erupted when staunch NRM supporters protested after identifying known FDC and PFF members participating in the NRM electoral process. Despite these opposition supporters being listed in the NRM voter register, many NRM voters accused them of attempting to influence the election outcome in favor of weaker candidates, possibly with ulterior motives to manipulate future general elections.
The election, which was part of a countrywide exercise to choose NRM LC1 chairpersons, featured three candidates: Bwengye Fred, Gumisiriza Kenneth, and Kabanuuna (full name unknown). Before the unrest, preliminary results indicated Kabanuuna was in the lead with 29 votes. However, a large section of voters strongly rejected the results, demanding a halt to the exercise.
“We can’t allow known opposition supporters to decide for us in NRM elections. It’s not right,” lamented Peter Murangira, one of the aggrieved voters. He emphasized that only those with NRM yellow cards or official registration IDs should be allowed to vote in the party’s internal polls.
Many voters blamed poor management of the voter register, noting that the local registrar, who recently passed away, had not updated records properly, leading to widespread confusion and suspicion.
Frustrated and angered by the perceived irregularities, a crowd of NRM voters staged a protest at the polling station, leading election officials to call off the process until further notice.
