Residents across Kamwenge District turned out in large numbers on Tuesday to elect Local Council One (LC1) chairpersons, ending more than eight years without village council elections.
Many voters who spoke to Nile Post said they were determined to elect leaders who would promote transparency, fight corruption, and effectively mobilize communities to benefit from government development programmes.
At Rukunyu Village polling station at Rukunyu Primary School, about 400 residents cast their votes in a peaceful exercise supervised by electoral officials and security personnel.
Election Presiding Officer Ford Muhumuza said the voting process was conducted in a transparent and orderly manner, with all candidates and their agents witnessing the counting of votes.
"The voting exercise was peaceful and transparent. Every valid vote was counted openly in the presence of candidates, their agents, and members of the public. The results reflect the will of the voters, and Esau Muhwezi has been duly declared the winner," Muhumuza said.
Sarah Katushabe, a resident of Rukunyu Village, said the elections had given citizens an opportunity to choose leaders who understand their communities' needs.
"We have waited for these elections for many years. We wanted leaders who are honest, accountable, and ready to mobilize communities to benefit from government programmes. That is why so many people turned up to vote," Katushabe said.
Meanwhile, in Bukonderwa Village in Kitonzi Ward, Kamwenge Town Council, more than 226 voters participated in the election.
The high voter turnout recorded in both villages reflected residents' eagerness to participate in grassroots democracy after more than eight years without LC1 elections.
Many voters said they now expect the newly elected leaders to strengthen accountability, resolve community challenges, and serve as an effective link between communities and government programmes aimed at improving livelihoods.
