Ugandans headed to the polls on Thursday to elect local government leaders, including district chairpersons, councillors, mayors, and city councillors. However, voting in some areas got off to a slow start, with low turnout delaying the opening of polling stations. In Kampala’s Nakawa Division, several polling stations had not officially opened by 8:00 am due to the absence of voters required to witness the opening of voting materials.
According to Electoral Commission guidelines, at least 10 voters must be present at a polling station to witness the breaking of seals and the opening of voting materials, a measure aimed at promoting transparency and public confidence in the electoral process. As a result, election officials at several polling stations in Nakawa remained on standby, waiting for voters to arrive so that voting could formally commence.
The slow start to the local government elections comes just days after the presidential elections, which reported a voter turnout of about 52 per cent. This low turnout is consistent with the trend observed in the 2021 local polls, where voter participation was also low. Analysts have noted that voter engagement tends to decline further during local government elections, which historically attract lower turnout compared to national contests.
The limited voter presence observed in urban centres, including parts of Kampala, reinforces these concerns. Local government leaders play a critical role in service delivery, urban management, and local administration, making these elections central to governance at the district and city levels. Despite their importance, civic actors have pointed to voter fatigue, limited awareness of the roles of local leaders, and the close scheduling of multiple elections as key factors contributing to low turnout.
As the day progressed, election officials and observers waited to see if voter turnout would improve. The elections are a crucial aspect of Uganda’s democratic process, and the outcome will have significant implications for local governance and service delivery. With the electoral process underway, attention will now turn to the counting of votes and the announcement of results, which will determine the leadership of local governments across the country.
