Jinja, Uganda: The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has directed security agencies to exercise maximum restraint during Monday’s Local Council II (LCII) elections, warning officers against using live ammunition and stressing that protecting lives must take precedence over electoral enforcement.
Speaking during a press briefing at Bax Hotel in Jinja City on Friday, August 07, Hon Babalanda said the directive followed the fatal violence recorded during the recently concluded Local Council I (LCI) elections, where at least three people were killed in Buwenge Town Council, Jinja District.
The minister, who also serves as the Woman MP for Budiope West in Buyende District, urged security personnel to maintain professionalism and ensure the electoral process remains peaceful.
“There is no reason for shedding the blood of another because elections come and go, but we remain. Let us end political differences,” Babalanda said.
She condemned the Buwenge incident, where security officers reportedly fired live bullets while dispersing a violent crowd, resulting in fatalities.
“We condemn what happened in Buwenge, and we ask officers to conduct themselves professionally and ensure there is no bloodshed this time round. We also ask you to leave polling areas immediately after winners have been declared,” she added.
‘Kisanja: No More Sleep, No Corruption’
Turning to governance, Hon Babalanda reminded incoming LCII chairpersons that they would assume office during what she described as the NRM government’s “Kisanja, No More Sleep” term, calling on them to uphold accountability and monitor government programmes at parish level.
“This is Kisanja. No more sleep, no corruption. All LCII Chairpersons coming in should know the principles of the party and monitor government programmes at the parish level,” she said. “Come into leadership with the objective of serving the people. The wealth that President Museveni is bringing belongs to all Ugandans.”
She urged voters to support NRM flag bearers, saying the ruling party remained committed to fighting corruption.
“If you were born into corrupt practices, it is time you abandoned those traits and followed President Museveni’s teaching aimed at prosperity and development. People are being arrested and many have already been arrested for involvement in corruption. President Museveni is saying enough is enough with corruption,” Babalanda said.
The minister also encouraged members of the public to report any cases of mismanagement under the Parish Development Model (PDM) through the government’s toll-free hotline 0800 320 320 or to Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Resident City Commissioners (RCCs).
Busoga University expansion
Addressing concerns about the condition of infrastructure at Busoga University, Babalanda assured residents that government plans for the institution extend beyond the ongoing renovations.
“We have heard people complaining that the structures at Busoga University do not look like those of a university. But I tell you, the first phase was renovation, which was undertaken by the UPDF Engineering Brigade. The next phase will involve the construction of new flats. So I ask our people to be calm,” she said.
Friday’s press conference was attended by Jinja City Resident City Commissioner Salim Komakech and members of the city security committee, who pledged to mobilise support for NRM candidates ahead of Monday’s polls.
According to Komakech, the ruling party won 105 of Jinja City’s villages (74.4%) during the LCI elections.
He said other results included 13 villages won by the National Unity Platform (NUP), three by the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), two by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), two by the Democratic Party (DP), 13 by NRM-leaning independents and three by other independent candidates.
The RCC said city commissioners had already held planning meetings ahead of the LCII elections, with another security meeting scheduled for Sunday to finalise arrangements for peaceful polls.
The Electoral Commission is scheduled to conduct Local Council II elections on Monday, following the successful completion of Village Women Committee and Local Council I elections. The polls are expected to elect parish-level leaders across the country.
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