Democracy Denied: Kayunga Residents Locked Out of Local Leadership

By Denis Mukisa

Residents of Kakoowekoowe Zone in Bukolooto Ward, Kayunga Town Council, woke up early on Saturday hoping to finally elect their local leaders, only to find empty polling stations and no Electoral Commission officials present.

The August 1 re-election had been scheduled for areas where polls collapsed earlier in the week. For communities that had already been denied the chance to vote on July 28, the empty stations marked a second blow to their right to choose representation.

The original election descended into chaos when a scuffle broke out among voters. Deputy RDC John Magezi intervened and halted the process after polling agents were attacked and police fired live bullets to disperse the crowds.

On Saturday, residents arrived expecting to cast their ballots alongside other affected areas. Instead, they found no officials and no opportunity to vote

.“We have no legal chairperson. We were denied the chance to vote,” said Mafabi Julius. He and other community members expressed deep frustration at being left without legitimate local leadership.

Candidate Misango Stephen shared the disappointment felt across the zone. Residents had been told to wait for a repeat election, yet no vote took place. Many now feel their democratic right at the grassroots level has been repeatedly blocked.

Misango Stephen. Candidate Kakoowekoowe zone

Attempts to reach Deputy RDC John Magezi for comment were unsuccessful; he promised a response that had not arrived by press time. District election officer Namirembe Elizabeth also did not answer calls.

Across Kayunga District, only one re-election was held on Saturday, in Nakyesa Village. Other communities whose polls flopped remain in limbo, waiting for guidance from the Electoral Commission. Some residents say they will pursue legal action if fresh polls are not ordered.

“We have nowhere to take our complaints. Without a legitimate chairperson, our issues remain unresolved,” Namulondo Elizabeth lamented.

The situation leaves Kakoowekoowe Zone and similar areas without elected leadership, underscoring the human cost when local elections fail and voters are left without a voice.