Jennifer Acheng and Bondry Kilenga
Uganda on Wednesday conducted elections for LCIII, Town Council, and Municipal Division chairpersons and councillors, the second last set of 2026, general election according to the Electoral Commission roadmap but the voting exercise was characterised by low voter turnout across the Karamoja Sub-region.
A spot check by our reporters at various polling stations across the district revealed significantly fewer voters compared to previous elections.
In the Central Division, polling stations including Lomus, Youth Centre, Nameo Lock Z, and Nameo Loge registered low voter turnout.
Similarly, in the Western Division, polling stations such as Um Um 1, 2 and 3, as well as Lokore East and West, also recorded poor participation.
Presiding officers at several polling stations especially in west division attributed the low turnout to the Kanawat weekly market day, noting that many registered voters were likely engaged in business activities.
Our reporters reported that in most polling stations visited, the BVVK machines were functioning properly.
However, some registrars especially in Lomus reportedly lacked printed names of the candidates.
An election observer, who preferred anonymity, said this situation is negatively affecting illiterate voters who may not be able to read or identify candidates’ names.
Similarly, voting in Kaabong and Moroto districts was slow to pick up as of 9:00 am, with some polling stations yet to open.
At Namidimid polling station in Nadunget sub-county, Moroto, polling officials waited patiently as voters hesitated, reportedly preferring to see others turn up before casting their ballots.
One polling assistant was sent into the nearby community to encourage voter turnout.
At Katanga A and B polling stations, officials were still organizing voting materials by 9:00 am.
The voter turnout at Katanga A and B polling station mirrored that of police, Army, and RTC facilities, with low numbers reported as of 8:30 am.
However, not all stations experienced such delays. At Natumukasikou polling station in Rupa sub-county, voting began promptly at 8:00 am, with people already lining up.
Biometric voter verification machines were functioning, and the exercise was underway.
Despite these challenges, the elections have so far proceeded peacefully as there no serious cases registered.
