Kamuli, Uganda: Low voter turnout was Thursday reported across several polling stations in Kamuli District as Ugandans went to the polls to elect district local government leaders and councillors, raising concerns about voter apathy and confidence in the electoral process.
A DailyExpress spot check at multiple polling stations in Kamuli District, particularly within Kamuli Municipality, showed sparse voter activity in the morning hours, with some polling centres registering only trickles of voters.
By 9:30 am on Thursday, voting had either not started or had only just commenced at several stations due to the low turnout. These included St Mark A–N, St Mark M–Z, Madaras, Post Office, and Mayor’s Garden polling stations, all within Kamuli Municipality.
Election officials at some of the stations attributed the delayed start of voting to the absence of voters early in the morning, contrary to expectations for local government polls that traditionally attract higher community participation.
One of the candidates contesting for Kamuli District LCV chairperson, Mutebe Francis Tayoleka of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), blamed the low turnout on growing public frustration and loss of trust stemming from previous election outcomes.
“Maybe it is due to lack of hope and anger,” Mutebe said shortly after casting his vote. “People voted for their leaders in the previous elections, but in the end, others were declared winners. That discourages voters.”
The Kamuli District LCV race has attracted four candidates, namely Dhizaala Kaloli of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Mutebe Francis Tayoleka (FDC), and independents Ndegwe Mubarack and Kalulu Robert.
Political observers note that local government elections often suffer from lower voter engagement compared to presidential and parliamentary contests, but warn that persistently low turnout could undermine the legitimacy of elected leaders and weaken grassroots governance.
As polling continued into the afternoon, election officials expressed hope that more voters would turn up later in the day, especially after residents completed morning chores and business activities.
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