LOW VOTER TURNOUT TRIGGERS EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION IN ARUA CITY, MAKINDYE WEST

A polling station with low voter turn out in Maracha district

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Low voter turnout marked Uganda’s ongoing District and City Local Government elections on Thursday, prompting unusual citizen-led and official efforts to mobilize voters ahead of the 4:00 p.m. close of polling.

In Arua City and Arua District, the office of the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) and candidate agents resorted to outdoor voter mobilization after observing very low voter participation.

In over 30 polling stations visited, voting was delayed due to the absence of some agents and the minimum number of voters required to open polling stations. Some polling stations opened with fewer voters, while others allowed late arrivals to sign in after voting commenced.

At Onduparaka Headquarters, where over 500 voters are registered, only 34 had turned up by 11:00 a.m. At Kirabu Diro A–E and F–Z polling stations, with over 900 registered voters, just 54 had voted by midday, and at Eruba Primary School in Arua District, only 20 voters had cast their ballots by 1:00 p.m.

In response, Richard Job Matua, Assistant RCC Arua, and Jonah Mbigitti, Deputy RCC Ayivu Division, rushed to local radios and visited polling stations to urge citizens to participate. Meanwhile, candidate Lawrence Alionzi Dangote (NRM) cast his vote at Isaac Center E–Z polling station at 12:45 p.m., directing his agents to mobilize voters in the communities.

Voters expressed apathy and disillusionment. At Bazaar East Police Polling Station, one voter, identified as Mambo, said many citizens do not consider local government elections important. Another voter, Ashraf Okulega, noted that disappointment over the results of last week’s presidential and parliamentary elections contributed to the low turnout.

In Arua City, the mayoral race features Lawrence Alionzi Dangote (NRM), Ceaser Draecabo (Independent), and Gasper Pirio (Democratic Party). The city has 201,185 registered voters across 446 polling stations. Security remained calm in most parts of West Nile, according to police.

Similar trends were observed in Kampala, particularly in Makindye West Division, where voter apathy prompted citizen-led mobilization. Deo Genza, a boda-boda rider and Chairperson of the Makindye Division Urban Council Boda-Boda Stage, traversed neighborhoods on a motorcycle-mounted megaphone, rallying voters across parishes including Kanisa, Madirisa, Kerezia, Lukuli, Buziga, Kipamba, Kibuye, Makindye Railway, Dubai, and Muswangali.

Genza, who is also contesting for the Urban LC III councillor seat, said he launched the drive after observing deserted polling stations hours after opening. “This division has about 436 polling stations and over 255,000 registered voters, but turnout is worryingly low,” he said.

Many residents cited dissatisfaction with the January 15 presidential election outcome as a reason for abstaining. “People are saying their candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP), was unfairly declared the loser. They feel participating further is meaningless,” Genza explained.

Phoebe Nakawuka, a polling agent at Madirisa Polling Station, confirmed the sentiment, noting that voters openly said others stayed away because they believed their presidential and parliamentary candidates were unfairly defeated.

Security concerns also affected turnout. Juma Muwonge, a polling agent for Kampala Lord Mayor candidate Ronald Balimwezo, noted that the Military Police presence at six polling stations within the barracks intimidated voters.

Makindye Division, a known NUP stronghold, also saw political dynamics affecting participation. All 11 nominated candidates for the mayoral race were disqualified by the Electoral Commission, leaving Yasin Omari (NRM) to run unopposed.

Despite this, polling agents remained on duty to protect the interests of remaining candidates, including Beatrice Mao (DP), Nabilla Nagayi (Independent), Moses Nsubuga Kizito (NRM), Charles Luba Lwanga (Independent), Ibrahim Kasoozi (FDC), incumbent Erias Lukwago, and NUP’s Ronald Balimwezo.

Across both Makindye East and West divisions, voting delays mirrored those in Arua City. Unlike the January 15 elections, when delays were largely due to late delivery of materials and malfunctioning Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs), Thursday’s delays were caused mainly by the absence of voters.

Electoral Commission procedures require at least 10 registered voters to be present before polling can open. Observers expressed concern over voter fatigue, post-election disillusionment, and the implications for local governance legitimacy following Uganda’s highly contested 2026 general elections.