The Kyankwanzi District Electoral Commission has received all the required ballot boxes in preparation for the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for January 15, 2026.
According to Ketty Natunga, the Kyankwanzi District Assistant Returning Officer, a total of 338 ballot boxes corresponding to 338 polling stations were delivered to the district Electoral Commission offices at 10:30 p.m.
Natunga said the ballot boxes arrived in good condition, although ten seals were found broken during transportation. She explained that the damaged seals were immediately replaced and assured candidates and other stakeholders that the ballot materials will be securely stored until polling day.
“All the ballot boxes have been received. We noted that ten seals were broken during transit, but they were replaced immediately. The materials will remain safe until January 15,” Natunga said.
Despite the assurance, some candidates expressed reservations about the storage and security arrangements.
Maweto Jackson, a candidate for the Butemba Constituency Member of Parliament seat, said he was dissatisfied with the storage facility, noting that the room where the ballot boxes were kept had a rear door, which he said posed a security risk.
Another candidate from Butemba Constituency, Irumba Alex, said while candidates were present to witness the offloading of the ballot boxes, they could not verify whether ballot papers were already inside the boxes.
“We were not present during the parking and transportation. We were only called to witness the offloading, so we cannot confirm whether the ballot papers were already inside,” Irumba said.
Killiman Collins, who also witnessed the receipt of the materials, raised concern over the ballot boxes that arrived with damaged seals, saying this left him unconvinced about the safety of the ballot papers.
However, Muyegela Francis, the personal assistant to Akamumpa Jesca Mulumba, a candidate for District Woman Member of Parliament, said their team was reassured after the Electoral Commission replaced the broken seals.
He nevertheless urged the commission to consider adopting transparent ballot boxes in future to enhance transparency and allow stakeholders to clearly observe the contents.