KAMPALA- Voting in Kawempe North have started at most polling station in ernest as voters started assembling at their polling stations as early as 6 am to elect a new Member of Parliament following the death of Hon Muhammad Ssegirinya, who passed away on January 9th this year.
The by-election is being conducted under tight security, with uniformed and plain clothed police and military personnel deployed across the constituency to ensure a smooth voting process.
Voting however delayed at most polling centers with only a few voters present and waiting while most polling stations, political party representatives and candidate agents were still conducting briefings for their teams in preparation for the voting process.
With 197 polling stations and 19,964 registered voters, the election has drawn 10 candidates from different political parties and independent backgrounds.
The candidates in the cace are Murerwa Hanifa Karadi (Independent), Luwemba Lusswa Muhammed (Independent), Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola (National Unity Platform), Mukiibi Sadat (Forum for Democratic Change), Nsereko Moses (Independent), Musiitwa Ismail (People’s Progressive Party PPP), Mutazindwa Muhamood (Independent), Kasacca Henry Mubiru (Democratic Party DP), Faridah Nambi Kigongo (National Resistance Movement NRM).
The National Resistance Movement candidate, Faridah Nambi has expressed her willingness to concede defeat if the election results are determined fairly and transparently and while speaking shortly after casting her vote at the Mbogo Primary School playground polling station, Ms Nambi emphasised that while she remained hopeful of victory, she would accept the outcome if the process was conducted with integrity.
On the other hand National Unity Platform candidate Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola has raised concerns over alleged electoral malpractices in the ongoing Kawempe North by-election and urged voters not to be intimidated by the heavy presence of armed personnel and numberless motor vehicles in the area.
Independent candidate Hanifah Karadi cast her vote at St Paul’s Church of Uganda polling station in Kyebando Central, expressing concern over alleged ballot pre-ticking and voter intimidation and said while the voting day appeared calm, many voters were hesitant to turn up, citing a heavy security presence as a deterrent.
