The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has secured a commanding victory in the LC1 chairperson elections across the Greater Luwero region, further strengthening its political dominance in the area widely regarded as the cradle of the party’s rise to power.
According to district election results, the NRM won the majority of LC1 chairperson seats in all three districts that make up Greater Luwero.
In Nakasongola District, the NRM won 251 LC1 chairperson seats, followed by independent candidates with 90 seats and the National Unity Platform (NUP) with 11 seats. Elections were not conducted in seven villages after protests by voters disrupted the polling process.
In Luwero District, the Electoral Commission announced that the NRM secured 394 seats, while independent candidates won 167 seats, NUP captured 60 seats, and the Democratic Party (DP) won one seat.
In Nakaseke District, the NRM retained 322 seats, followed by independent candidates with 75 seats, many of whom are reportedly aligned with the ruling party. NUP won 43 seats, while the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) secured one village chairperson seat in Kiwoko Town Council.
Commenting on the outcome, Rose Namayanja Nsereko, the Deputy Secretary General of the NRM, said the results demonstrate the party’s continued strength in the region.
”These results reflect the growing confidence that wananchi continue to place in the NRM’s leadership and vision,” Namayanja said.
She congratulated the party’s successful candidates and thanked supporters for their participation in the elections.
“I warmly congratulate all our victorious flag bearers on this well-deserved achievement. I also extend my sincere appreciation to our supporters, mobilizers, and all Ugandans who turned out to participate in the democratic process,” she added.
However, Erastus Kibirango, the Luwero District LC5 Chairperson, disputed the credibility of the elections, saying there was little to celebrate because the exercise was marred by irregularities.
Kibirango cited Katabona Village, where residents protested the participation of alleged non-residents and new settlers in the voting process. He claimed that Electoral Commission officials later relocated to a nearby bush and conducted voting separately.
He further alleged that in some areas, NRM officials, with the backing of security personnel, influenced polling officials and allowed voting to continue in disregard of the electoral guidelines.
More than 40 candidates in Luwero District have since petitioned the Electoral Commission seeking the nullification of the election results, alleging widespread irregularities.
The petitions relate to elections in Katabona, Bbaale, Butanza, Kalongo Miti, Kasaala, Ngogolo Lumu, Kiya, and several other villages.
The petitioners allege that some of their supporters were prevented from voting and cite bribery, participation by non-residents, violence, and other electoral malpractices as grounds for challenging the results.
Luwero District Returning Officer Moses Rwanks Kiconco confirmed receiving the petitions, saying they will be considered in due course.
He added that elections will be repeated in seven villages that include Tweyanze ,Ddegeya Central, Ngogolo , Kiya , Katuumu , Ndibulungi , Katuumu and Kyawangabi villages.
