LUWEERO — Leaders in Luweero District have appealed to residents to vote wisely and uphold peace during Tuesday's Local Council I (LC1) chairperson elections, saying the outcome will shape development and governance at the grassroots.
Speaking during a visit to traders at Balikyejjusa Market in Butuntumula Sub-county, Katikamu North Member of Parliament Denis Sekabira urged voters to elect leaders who will serve the interests of their communities rather than personal ambitions.
"As you prepare to vote tomorrow, choose leaders who will serve the interests of the entire community and champion development instead of pursuing personal gains," Sekabira said.
He encouraged traders and other residents to participate actively in the elections, noting that LC1 leaders play a critical role in resolving local challenges and promoting community development.
Luweero Resident District Commissioner Mariam Nalubega, who also chairs the District Security Committee, assured residents that security agencies had put in place adequate measures to guarantee peaceful elections.
"Security is fully prepared to ensure peaceful elections. We ask everyone to remain calm, cooperate with security personnel and maintain peace throughout the exercise," Nalubega said.
Meanwhile, Balikyejjusa Market traders' chairperson Yakubu Nyombi appealed to district leaders to lobby the government to install speed humps along the road passing through the busy trading centre.
Nyombi said more than five people had lost their lives in road crashes caused by speeding motorists, particularly during busy periods such as election campaigns and polling days when large crowds gather at the market.
"We have lost more than five people because motorists drive at high speed through this market. The situation becomes even more dangerous during election periods when many people are moving around. We appeal to the government to install speed humps to save lives," Nyombi said.
Luweero District Returning Officer Moses Rwanks Kiconco said all preparations for the elections had been completed.
While dispatching election materials to the district's 18 sub-counties and town councils, Kiconco warned candidates and voters against committing electoral offences.
He said security personnel had been instructed to arrest anyone found disrupting the electoral process through acts such as tearing voters' registers, interfering with election officials, bribing voters, using abusive language or engaging in violence.
"Anyone who tears voter registers, interferes with election officials, offers or receives bribes, or disrupts the electoral process will be arrested. We want free, fair and peaceful elections," Kiconco said.
He dispatched election materials, including voters' registers, voter identification slips and other polling materials, to the district's 624 villages.
Kiconco also urged voters to remain at their polling stations after electing LC1 chairpersons to participate in the election of village executive committee members, saying doing so would help minimise disputes and post-election complaints.
