Butaleja LC1 Aspirants Nominated Amid Calls for Peaceful Campaigns
By Ambrose Wanagoli. Hundreds of Local Council One (LC1) aspirants were on Wednesday nominated to…
By Ambrose Wanagoli.
Hundreds of Local Council One (LC1) aspirants were on Wednesday nominated to contest in the upcoming village elections, as electoral officials urged candidates to conduct peaceful campaigns ahead of polling day.
The nomination exercise, which began on July 15, will run until July 19, with elections scheduled for July 28.
Speaking to journalists during a press briefing, Butaleja District Returning Officer John Paul Osinde called on all aspirants and their supporters to maintain peace throughout the electoral process.
Osinde reminded candidates that eligibility for nomination requires possession of a valid National Identity Card, registration as a voter, and residency in the village where one intends to contest.
“For one to be a candidate, he or she must possess a National Identity Card, be a registered voter, and must be a resident of the village where they intend to lead,” Osinde said.
He also assured the public that security agencies would be deployed in areas considered electoral violence hotspots to ensure a peaceful exercise.
“We shall have tight security deployment in areas that have previously experienced election-related violence. Surveillance will also be heightened in villages known for electoral malpractices,” he added.
Henry Hasahya, the Presiding Officer for Busaba Town Council, identified Nadome and Buwihula cells among the areas that have historically experienced chaotic elections, calling on residents to exercise restraint during the campaign period.
Several candidates interviewed after their nomination welcomed the fresh LC1 elections, accusing some incumbent leaders of corruption, favoritism, and poor management of government poverty alleviation programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
The candidates alleged that some serving chairpersons have been prioritising their relatives as beneficiaries of the programmes while excluding other deserving community members.
Among those who expressed their commitment to contest were Samuel Hasahya of Bugali Cell, Michael Hyeroba and Anthony Muhwana of Bugisa Cell, Wilson Kabage of Kasuleta, and Matia Wasswa of Mwiha Cell.
The aspirants pledged to promote unity, reconciliation, equality, transparency, and equitable distribution of government resources if elected.
They further accused some incumbent chairpersons of sidelining their executive committee members in decision-making and resource allocation, saying such practices had undermined accountability at the village level.
Meanwhile, Busaba Town Council National Resistance Movement (NRM) Chairperson Habbibu Haibala said the party is committed to supporting its flag bearers ahead of the forthcoming LC1 elections.
