The election of Parish Development Model (PDM) leaders in Bubinge Parish, Kityerera Sub-county in Mayuge District, was abruptly called off following disagreements over the nomination process for the SACCO leadership.
The exercise, which was being supervised by Parish Chief Paul Mugonahasa, was suspended after residents disputed the list of candidates presented for the position of Chairperson of the Bubinge PDM SACCO.
Tension arose when Jane Nabawanga, Chairperson of the Electoral Committee, announced only two candidates for the chairperson position — Farouk Kalulu and Godfrey Tebamwagala — prompting residents to protest over the absence of a third candidate, Godfrey Kamanya.
The residents insisted they had expected Kamanya to be included, saying his omission from the official list raised concerns about the fairness of the process.
“We are wondering why the name of the person we want is not on the file,” some of the residents said as the situation escalated.
Parish Chief Paul Mugonahasa said elections for other positions, including Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, had proceeded without disruption. However, he said the dispute over the chairperson race forced officials to suspend the entire exercise.
He explained that tensions escalated after residents discovered that Kamanya’s name had not been included among the nominated candidates despite apparent local support for his bid.
Mugonahasa said fresh elections have now been scheduled for Saturday at 10:00 a.m., after Kamanya was issued with nomination forms to regularise his participation.
Kamanya alleged irregularities in the nomination process, claiming he faced delays when attempting to obtain forms from the electoral committee.
He said he was initially told that forms were unavailable, and later, after managing to acquire and complete them, he was informed that he was no longer eligible to submit his nomination.
Kamanya accused the electoral committee of bias and mishandling the process in favour of certain candidates.
Another candidate, Farouk Kalulu, also faced resistance from some residents, who alleged that he was being favoured by election officials despite what they described as limited community support.
David Kigenyi, who is contesting for the position of Secretary of the SACCO, said he was concerned after discovering that his nomination form was missing from the returned file, calling for transparency when elections resume.
Local leaders, including Rashid Maganda, Chairperson of Bubinge Village, and Sam Bate, LCII Chairperson of Bubinge Parish, together with residents, called for a transparent and credible electoral process.
“They should allow people to vote for the person they want,” they said.
The outgoing SACCO Chairperson, Sanula Musubika, did not seek re-election. His departure follows his arrest alongside Faizo Mwase by a government representative over alleged mismanagement of PDM funds.
Residents are now waiting for the rescheduled poll, expressing hope that the fresh exercise will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.