Voting in the Kikuube District by-election has been unusually slow, largely due to low voter turnout and the delayed opening of polling stations. At several polling stations visited by Uganda Radio Network (URN), voting had been delayed after the first 10 voters, who were legally required to witness the opening of the ballot boxes, failed to turn up on time.
At most polling stations, by 9:00 a.m., voting had not commenced. At Kisita polling station in Ruguse parish in Bugambe Sub-County, by 9:00 a.m., voting had not yet started after the first ten voters failed to report early to witness the opening of the ballot boxes.
Clare Musimenta, the Presiding Officer at the station, described the turnout as extremely low, noting that by 9:00 a.m., no one had voted at the polling station.
Similarly, at Kicope polling station, Bugambe Sub-County, actual voting commenced at 10:00 a.m., with very few voters turning up. By 10:00 a.m., fewer than ten voters had voted.
Moris Baguma, a presiding officer at the polling station, said that although election officials reported for duty at exactly 7:00 a.m., by 9:00 a.m., no one had shown up to cast their votes.
Innocent Kugonza, a voter in Kikuube Town Council, said that the postponement of the election from June 10th to June 18th negatively affected both voters and candidates, saying voters had initially shown enthusiasm to vote on June 10th.
Regina Ngamita, the LCII Chairperson for Buhuka parish in Kyangwali sub-county, said that at most polling stations, voters had not turned up to cast their votes by 10:55 a.m.
Patrick Okwairwoth, a voter at Rwengabi polling station in Kabwoya Sub-County, attributed the poor turnout to inadequate voter sensitisation by the Electoral Commission and the candidates.
Bonny Okumu, a supervisor deployed in Nkondo parish, Kabwoya sub-county, says they expect voting to start at midday since by 10:45 a.m., no voter had shown up, adding that most officials were just seated and relaxing.
Emmanuel Twiine, the Kikuube District Returning Officer, is optimistic that by afternoon, many people will turn up in large numbers to cast their votes.
The Kikuube LCV By-election has attracted two candidates, including Paddy Kisembo of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party and Fenekansi Timanyire of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The by-election follows the death of former Kikuube District Chairperson Peter Banura, who died in a road crash on April 4, 2026, along the Hoima–Fort Portal Road.
Statistics obtained from the Electoral Commission (EC) indicate that Kikuube district has 330 polling stations scattered within 27 parishes in seven sub-counties. The district has over 150,000 registered voters-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
