Election materials dispatched as Mukono braces for local govt polls

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Mukono district is fully prepared for the district local government councils and chairpersons’ elections scheduled for Thursday (January 22), following the successful receipt and dispatch of all election materials across the district.

The Mukono district returning officer, Emily Amongin, confirmed that the district received a total of 960 polling kits, sufficient to cover all polling stations and constituencies. The materials were received on January 20 and were being dispatched today, Wednesday (January 21), to ensure polling stations open on time.

“We received all the required polling materials, totalling 960 polling kits, and these cover the entire district, including all constituencies and hard-to-reach areas such as the islands,” Amongin said. “Dispatch is ongoing today, and we expect all materials to be at the polling stations by 7:00am tomorrow to allow voting to start on time.”

Some of the polling kits at Mukono EC offices ready to be dispatched.

Some of the polling kits at Mukono EC offices.

Amongin called on voters to turn up in large numbers and exercise their democratic right peacefully.

“I appeal to the people of Mukono to come out and vote for their leaders. These are leaders who will represent you and push your agenda forward. Vote for candidates you believe will serve you best,” she said.

She also reminded candidates that campaigns officially ended on January 20 and urged them to respect the electoral process.

“My appeal to the candidates is that campaigning has stopped. Please stay put and wait for voters to decide,” she said.

On security and election integrity, the returning officer urged calm and vigilance, calling on voters to report any incidents through the proper channels.

“I urge the people of Mukono to remain calm and peaceful. If any issues arise, report them to parish or sub-county supervisors for escalation. Matters requiring security intervention should be reported to the police. Let us minimise violence as much as possible,” she said.

Amongin noted that no formal complaints regarding bribery or malpractice had been received so far.

“I have not received any formal complaints on bribery. At this point, I consider them allegations. However, if such incidents occur, they should be reported to the police for action. I also urge candidates involved in such acts to stop immediately,” she warned.

Voters rallied on turnout

Several candidates in the Mukono district elections echoed calls for voter turnout, peace and transparency.

Mukono district LC5 chairperson contestant Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga urged residents to participate actively, describing local governments as the foundation of service delivery.

“These are governments that directly handle your concerns—garbage collection, road networks, murram roads, tarmacking, primary schools, and health services,” he said. “When government funds are released, they go to local governments. That is why you must elect serious leaders who can deliver.”

He condemned electoral malpractice and warned against tampering with election materials.

“I don’t see why someone who is not capable should engage in stealing ballot boxes or malpractices. These local governments serve local people. This is where your interests lie 100 per cent,” Muyanja said.

He also urged polling agents to remain vigilant.

“As boxes are sealed, agents must record serial numbers to block any attempts at manipulation and ensure the will of the people prevails,” he added.

Another LC5 chairperson candidate, Rauben Senyonjo, expressed confidence in his campaign and praised the support received from residents, particularly young voters.

“I appreciate the people of Mukono for the love and support they have shown since I began my campaigns. By tomorrow evening, Mukono people will have decided who will lead them for the next five years,” Senyonjo said.

He highlighted strong youth participation in earlier voting exercises.

“This shows young people have listened. Many of them work in the informal sector—boda boda riders, food vendors, small traders—and they now understand that the leaders they elect determine the taxes they pay,” he said.

Mukono district speaker Betty Nakasi, the incumbent councillor for Mukono Central Division, also appealed for higher voter turnout, noting that local government elections directly affect service delivery.

“Education, health, roads, water—these services are mainly delivered by local governments. That is why turnout in these elections should not be low,” Nakasi said.

She criticised inadequate voter education by the Electoral Commission and urged security personnel to remain neutral.

“We request police and other security officers to protect all candidates equally. Your role is not to participate in politics or take sides,” she said.

Similarly, Basta Richards Ssenyonga, a contestant for district councillor representing Mukono Central Division, welcomed the decision not to use the biometric voter verification machines.

“We are informed that voting will use the register. I urge voters in Mukono Central Division and the district at large to come out in big numbers,” he said.

With all polling kits dispatched, security arrangements in place and candidates concluding preparations, Mukono district appears set for a smooth electoral process as voters head to polling stations Thursday.