Residents of three Wakiso villages say repeated postponements and disputed outcomes have left their communities without recognised leaders, prompting calls for the Electoral Commission to resolve the matter.
Residents of Nsumbi, Kyebando and Bujjuuko villages in Wakiso District have protested the delayed declaration of winners in village chairperson elections, accusing electoral authorities of leaving their communities without recognised leadership.
The residents say the election process has been postponed three times, disrupting local administration and making it difficult to access essential services that require the involvement of village leaders.
They said the absence of recognised chairpersons had complicated the processing of important documents, including those relating to deceased family members.
Carrying placards, the protesters accused electoral authorities of failing to respect voters’ choices and questioned the credibility of the disputed results.
“We cannot continue living in uncertainty while people we do not know are imposed on us as our village leaders,” one protester said, calling for an urgent resolution.
In Nsumbi, residents questioned reported results in which, they alleged, a candidate who received only four votes was declared the winner, while another who reportedly secured 480 votes was not announced as victorious.
“How can someone who reportedly received only four votes be declared the winner, while the candidate who got 480 votes is left out?” a resident asked, urging the Electoral Commission to explain how the results were determined.
The protesters want the Commission to review the disputed outcomes and ensure that the results reflect the choices of voters. They also said they would petition the President and the Minister of Local Government to intervene.
“We want justice and leaders who are genuinely chosen by the people. The authorities must listen to our concerns before the situation gets out of hand,” another protester said.
The residents said their grievances cut across political party affiliations. They also accused Wakiso District Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) of frustrating efforts to monitor the elections and allowing people they said lacked community recognition to assume leadership.
They urged the relevant authorities to handle the dispute transparently and peacefully to prevent further tension in the affected villages.
Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Muchunguzi confirmed that the Commission was aware of the complaints and was reviewing the concerns raised by residents.
“We are aware of the concerns raised by the residents, and the Commission is examining the matter. We appeal to them to remain calm as the issues are being addressed,” Muchunguzi said.
The disputed elections reportedly followed voting exercises marked by disorder, including incidents involving gunfire and tear gas.
The residents are demanding a clear explanation from the Electoral Commission and a timely resolution to restore confidence in the electoral process and enable their communities to have recognised village leaders.