Independent candidate Hanifah Karadi cast her vote at St Paul’s Church of Uganda polling station in Kyebando Central, expressing concern over alleged ballot pre-ticking and voter intimidation.
Ms Karadi said while the voting day appeared calm, many voters were hesitant to turn up, citing a heavy security presence as a deterrent.
She noted a particularly low voter turnout in Kyebando Central, her home village, which she attributed to reports of security drones patrolling the area.
She further alleged that there were attempts to manipulate the election process.
“We have received reports of ballot papers that were already pre-ticked. This, combined with the intimidation of both voters and candidates, is very concerning,” Ms Karadi said.
The candidate urged her supporters to remain vigilant at polling stations to prevent electoral malpractice.
“We are worried about the kind of democracy Uganda practices when candidates face intimidation and ballots are pre-ticked. I call upon my supporters to stay behind and ensure their votes are counted,” she added.
The concerns raised by Ms Karadi came amid broader challenges in the Kawempe North by-election, which was organised to fill the seat left vacant after the death of former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya in January.
Ssegirinya, who was a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP), had represented the constituency since 2021 before his passing on January 9.
Ms Karadi is contesting the seat against nine other candidates, including NUP’s Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, Forum for Democratic Change’s Sadat Mukiibi, alias Khalifa Aganaga, and National Resistance Movement’s Faridah Nambi.
Others are independents Moses Nsereko, Muhammad Luswa Luwemba, Henry Stanley Maitum, Muhamood Mutazindwa, Democratic Party's Henry Kacacca, and Progressive People's Party's Ismail Musitwa.
Voters at multiple polling stations, including St Paul's Church of Uganda in Kyebando Central, reported slow voting due to technical issues and procedural delays.
Some polling stations, such as those at Mbogo Primary School and Homisdallen Primary School, experienced problems with voter verification machines, further delaying the process.
Despite the challenges, voters continued to queue under the watch of a heavy security presence in Kawempe North, as election observers and candidates closely monitored proceedings.