Local Council One (LC I) elections were conducted peacefully in most villages across Bukomansimbi District on Tuesday, with residents electing their village chairpersons without major incidents of violence or confrontation.
However, the Electoral Commission confirmed that voting did not take place in Buyonga Town due to logistical challenges and has been rescheduled for Wednesday.
Voting commenced early in the morning as residents gathered at designated polling stations to elect their village leaders through the lining-up voting system.
At Bukoba Village in Bukomansimbi Town Council, voter verification began at around 10:00 a.m. The exercise was briefly interrupted after several residents failed to find their names on the voters’ register and requested that it be read again. Even after a second verification, the missing names were not found, prompting election officials to proceed with the voting exercise.
Independent candidate Dorothy Nakiweewa emerged victorious in Bukoba Village after securing 396 votes, defeating NRM candidate Dirisa Byamukama and NUP’s Ronaldo Zankumbi.
In Bukomansimbi Central, another Independent candidate, Bashir Kagimu, defeated NRM’s Dirisa Ssemanda with 174 votes.
Speaking shortly after being declared the winner, Kagimu thanked residents for entrusting him with leadership.
“I am very happy because the people have trusted and supported me. I thank them so much, and I promise to serve them diligently and ensure they benefit from government programmes,” Kagimu said.
Elsewhere across the district, John Ssemugenyi was elected LC I chairperson for Kyanakibi Village, while Dodovic Lwankulanga defeated NRM’s Matayo Kalema in Lukuuku Village.
In Kyango Village, NRM’s Muhammad Kiruuta was elected unopposed.
NUP candidate Antonio Tebizigama Ojuku won the LC I race in Kitwekyanjovu Village, Luwoko Parish, after polling 54 votes.
In Kayanja Village, NRM’s Steven Kaliisa was declared unopposed after his NUP rival, Augustine Kikomeko, withdrew from the race before voting commenced.
Other winners included NRM’s Abdulkareem Ssempaka in Ndalage, FDC’s Abas Kisenyi, who was elected unopposed in Mirembe, NRM’s Lawrence in Lwamalenge, and NRM’s Isaya Mugambwa Katungulu, who defeated John Mary Mayanja by 50 votes to 35.
Independent candidate Yasin won in Bukango Village, while Veriano in Kirembeko and Norah in Gayaza were both elected unopposed.
Following the declaration of results, the newly elected LC I chairpersons presented members of their executive committees, who were subsequently approved by residents in accordance with the electoral guidelines.
Bukomansimbi District Electoral Commission Registrar Betty Kyomugereko said only one village had so far been confirmed to have missed the elections.
“The only village I can confirm did not vote is Buyonga Town. We shall ensure that the residents of Buyonga Town vote tomorrow,” Kyomugereko said.
Bukomansimbi District comprises 254 villages, and according to the Electoral Commission, a total of 46,495 voters participated in this year’s LC I elections.
