There was heavy police and military deployment at Kawempe Division on Thursday as elected LC1 and LC2 chairpersons took their oath of office amid protests from residents who questioned the legitimacy of some of the officials being sworn in.
A group of residents from Katoogo Zone in Bwaise and other parts of the division protested the exercise, claiming that some of the chairpersons taking oath had not won the elections but had instead been included among the candidates submitted for swearing-in.
In the morning, residents from Katoogo Zone arrived at the division headquarters in large numbers, some carrying placards expressing their dissatisfaction. They alleged that the person being sworn in as their LC1 chairperson had not won the election.
The protesters initially entered the division conference hall, where the swearing-in ceremony was scheduled to take place, demanding that the exercise be halted.
Nabulya Joyce, a resident of Katoogo Zone, alleged that William Lule, the person scheduled to be sworn in as chairperson, received only 42 votes, while his rival, John Luzindana, secured 102 votes.
Nabulya further alleged that Lule’s name was “smuggled” onto the list of people scheduled to take the oath of office, despite not having won the election.
Suzan Nakayiza, called for a fresh election in Katoogo Zone, arguing that the person being recognised as chairperson did not emerge victorious in the election.
Police and the military personnel intervened and forced the protesters out of the hall. Some protesters were reportedly beaten and arrested during the operation.
After the situation was brought under control, police ordered each chairperson attending the ceremony to come with only one person, leaving many supporters and other residents locked out of the venue.
Speaking at the start of the swearing-in exercise, Kawempe Division Town Clerk Geoffrey Rwakabale said KCCA was not responsible for declaring winners in the elections. Rwakabale said the authority was working with the names submitted to it for the swearing-in exercise.
“The names submitted to the authority are the ones we consider,” Rwakabale said.The swearing-in of the LC1 chairpersons was conducted in groups, with chairpersons from villages within the same parish taking their oath together under the leadership of the respective LC2 chairperson.
Officials said the group swearing-in was intended to save time, given the large number of chairpersons who had to take the oath.
Kawempe Division has 22 parishes and 119 villages. Of the 119 LC1 chairpersons, 105 managed to take their oath of office, while the remaining positions will have to be confirmed by the Electoral Commission following petitions and disputes arising from the elections-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
