Police maintain calm after Bushenyi LC1 election results dispute
The contest was won by National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer Mary Murezi, who garnered 150 votes to defeat independent candidate Dan Mugyenyi, the recently retired Bushenyi-Ishaka municipal education officer.
NRM flag bearer Mary Murezi, garnered 150 votes to defeat independent candidate Dan Mugyenyi.
BUSHENYI - More than 70,000 villages across Uganda on Tuesday participated in the election of Local Council One (LC1) chairpersons, with the largely peaceful exercise in Bushenyi district punctuated by isolated protests and increased security deployment in some areas.
Security was heavily deployed in Tank Hill cell, Central Division, Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, following a dispute over the election results.
The contest was won by National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer Mary Murezi, who garnered 150 votes to defeat independent candidate Dan Mugyenyi, the recently retired Bushenyi-Ishaka municipal education officer.
Mugyenyi rejected the outcome, alleging that Murezi was ineligible to contest because she had shifted from another village and therefore did not qualify to stand for the LC1 chairperson seat.
"She shifted from another village and should not have been allowed to contest this election," Mugyenyi protested shortly after the declaration of results.
However, Murezi dismissed the allegations, insisting that she has legally resided in Tank Hill cell since January.
"Although I shifted from another village, I have been renting a house here since January. I am a resident of this village, and I am fully qualified to contest in this election," Murezi said.
Tank Hill village returning officer Joseph Twine said Mugyenyi disrupted the vote-counting process by instructing his supporters to leave before the ballots were counted.
"The candidate told his supporters not to participate in the counting process. We completed the exercise in accordance with the electoral guidelines. If he is dissatisfied with the results, he should seek redress through the courts," Twine said.
Opposition, independent candidates register victories
Elsewhere in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality and neighbouring areas, several candidates from different political affiliations secured victories.
In Central cell, Milton Mwebembezi of the People's Front for Freedom (PFF) defeated the NRM flag bearer by 720 votes to 30.
In Buuuma II cell, Buramba ward, Ishaka division, Godfrey Tumusiime of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) defeated the NRM candidate Tifasi Karuhanga by 141 votes to 101.
In Kayojo cell, Innocent Tumwebaze was declared winner after polling 163 votes, defeating independent candidate Jenipher Tumuhairwe, who received 48 votes.
In Ncucumo village, Rwentuha Town Council, Milton Mucunguzi won with 98 votes, defeating Molly Meefu, who polled 19 votes.
In Nyarwanya village, Central Division, Mauda Muhwezi secured victory with 192 votes, defeating Deus Tukesiga, who obtained 100 votes.
In Kyeitembe East village, Wyclif Nyehangane defeated the incumbent, Sande Rondah, to become the new LC1 chairperson.
Meanwhile, residents of Nyabishera I cell in Rutooma ward, Kabwohe division, Sheema Municipality, witnessed a peaceful transition of leadership.
Chairman-elect Christopher Tumwebaze praised residents for conducting a peaceful election and embracing democratic leadership.
"The election has been peaceful, and I thank residents for demonstrating maturity. Now that the elections are over, let us put politics aside and concentrate on work and improving our livelihoods," Tumwebaze said.
He also commended the outgoing chairperson for allowing a smooth transition after choosing not to contest again, having lost in the NRM primary elections.
Outgoing LC1 Chairperson George Tumusiime pledged to support the incoming leadership.
"Leadership is about serving the community. I will continue offering guidance and cooperation whenever called upon," he said.
Nyabishera women's chairperson Rosette Natukunda applauded residents for supporting women leaders.
"I thank the men of Nyabishera for supporting women in leadership and encourage them to continue working together for community development," she said.
Nyabishera Cell is home to several prominent leaders, including Sheema Municipality Member of Parliament Dicksons Kateshumbwa and Sheema Municipality mayor Lukia Nakalisa.
Despite isolated disputes, voting across Bushenyi and Sheema districts was largely peaceful, with security agencies maintaining a visible presence at polling stations to ensure law and order throughout the exercise.