Independent candidate Stephen Luyimbaazi has won the Kirindi Village LC I by-election in Kayunga District, defeating National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Swaibu Musana and National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Rogers Bukenya in a three-way contest.
Luyimbaazi’s victory came after the earlier election results were challenged through a petition lodged with the Electoral Commission by an NRM candidate, prompting a fresh vote.
However, the by-election has drawn attention to concerns among some voters about ballot secrecy and the commission’s handling of complaints arising from village-level elections.
Some voters questioned whether the arrangements allowed them to cast their ballots privately and independently, arguing that electoral procedures should protect them from possible identification, intimidation or undue influence.
They called on the Electoral Commission to ensure that the right to a secret ballot is respected, saying voting privacy is essential to credible elections.
The voters also questioned why a fresh election had been organised in Kirindi Village while other villages whose residents had reportedly petitioned over alleged electoral irregularities were still awaiting decisions.
They demanded clarification on how the commission prioritises petitions and urged it to handle complaints fairly and consistently, regardless of the villages or candidates involved.
Kayunga District Returning Officer Elizabeth Namirembe said the commission had received several petitions concerning different villages but needed time to examine each complaint before deciding on the appropriate course of action.
Namirembe explained that the petitions had been submitted at different times and raised different issues, requiring individual consideration.
“There are many petitioners with different petitions, and these were submitted at different times. The commission needs time to listen to and handle each of them,” Namirembe said.
She urged dissatisfied voters and petitioners to remain patient as the commission processes the outstanding complaints.
Namirembe added that fresh elections would be announced in areas where the circumstances and findings justified a repeat of the electoral process.
Her remarks come amid calls from sections of the electorate for greater transparency in the handling of election petitions, particularly at village level, where local council leaders play an important role in community administration and service delivery.
The concerns also highlight the need for voters to understand the procedures for challenging election results and for electoral complaints to be addressed through established mechanisms.
While Luyimbaazi’s victory gives him the mandate to lead Kirindi Village, questions over ballot secrecy and the handling of petitions remain unresolved.
The Electoral Commission is expected to continue reviewing outstanding complaints and determine whether fresh elections are warranted in other areas in accordance with applicable electoral procedures.