NATIONALWIDE – The ruling NRM primaries for positions of mayor and district chairpersons for 2021 general elections has been characterized by low voter turn up.
In many parts of the country visited by our correspondents, only polling officials and agents of candidates were found at polling stations.
The situation was witnessed in Wakiso, Mbale, Sembabule and Mbarara.
In Mbale city, local leaders attribute the low morale to the disappointments associated with the delayed declaration of the Woman MP results and the irregularities that marred the parliamentary primaries. In Mbale, the race for NRM flag for Mbale City mayoral seat has attracted four aspirants: Mr Vincent Magombe, a businessman and former contestant for Mbale District Local Council 5 seat in 2016, and Mr Abdu Magoola, also a businessman; Mr William Masai, a former councillor representing Namasaba Sub-county in the District Council and Mr Steven Mwelu, a lecturer at Uganda Christian University.
In Sembabule, the tight race is between the former District Chief Administrative Officer Nkalubo Patrick, and Godfrey Bitakaremire.
In Mbarara, there were reports of violence in some voting areas. The race for NRM flag has attracted three candidates: the interim mayor Robert Mugabe aka Kakyebezi; Mr Herbert Kamugisha and Mr Justus Karuhanga.
Mr Kakyebezi was elected NRM flag bearer for Mbarara mayoral seat on October 28, 2015 and eventually as mayor in 2016.
He says paving and lighting the city are some of his achievements.
Mr Kamugisha was the Local Council 5 councillor representing Rwanyamahembe Sub-county in Mbarara District Council. In 2015, he competed for NRM flag for Mbarara Local Council 5 seat but lost to Mr John Baptist Tumusiime Bamuturaki.
The low turnup was also recorded in Hoima district which has seen elections paused at some polling stations.
In Fort Portal, the NRM flag for the mayoral seat is being sought by Mr Edson Asaba Ruyonga, who served three terms as mayor from 2001 to 2016 and is battling to reclaim the seat. He will tussle it out with Mr Paul Kasande Drake.
