By Obed Kithende
Several candidates who contested for Local Council One (LC I) chairperson positions in Kasese District have threatened to petition the Electoral Commission over alleged irregularities that they claim undermined the credibility of Tuesday’s village elections.
Among them is Samson Mutahunga, the NRM flag bearer for Mumbuzi Cell in Kasese Municipality, who boycotted the election, accusing officials of voter bribery, intimidation of his supporters and manipulation of the voters’ register.
Despite his withdrawal, the election proceeded, with FDC’s Annet Mbambu Kule winning the seat after polling 327 votes.
In Basecamp Lower Cell in Central Division, NRM candidate Yofesi Kule Bitakuma also rejected the election results after losing to the incumbent chairperson, Jaffali Hatima Kigutia of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Kigutia was declared winner with 494 votes, while Bitakuma garnered 72 votes and NUP’s Nason Butseme received four votes.
Bitakuma alleged that the election was compromised after people from outside the area were ferried in to vote. He said he would consult his party on the next course of action, including filing a petition.
However, Kigutia dismissed the allegations, saying his victory was a result of dedicated service to residents during his previous term in office.
In Kahendero Station Cell in Muhokya Town Council, FDC candidate Leosio Mukirania also alleged that the election was rigged, claiming that unregistered voters were allowed to cast ballots.
Meanwhile, in Kanyatsi Parish in Kyondo Sub-county, FDC candidates Alex Mitsibira and ChristopherKasule refused to sign declaration forms for Kasithu and Kaghorwe villages, alleging that NRM agents facilitated underage voting.
The Electoral Commission had not yet responded to the allegations by the time of filing this report.
