Low Turnout Hits LC Voters’ Register Display Exercise in Kampala and Wakiso

The Electoral Commission’s two-day display of the Local Council voters’ register has recorded low participation in parts of Kampala and Wakiso, raising concerns over voter awareness ahead of the grassroots elections.

The display of the Local Council (LC) voters’ register has started with low turnout reported at several centres in Kampala and neighbouring Wakiso District, raising concerns over public awareness ahead of the village-level elections.

The two-day exercise, which started on Monday and ends on July 14, is a key stage in the Electoral Commission’s roadmap for the upcoming Local Council elections.

It allows residents to verify their details on the register, correct errors and raise objections against the inclusion of non-residents or ineligible persons.

A spot check by NBS Television found some Electoral Commission officials at display centres with little or no activity as only a few residents turned up to confirm their particulars.

At the Wandegeya Market Village display centre located at Wandegeya Mosque in Kampala Central Division, only a handful of residents had visited by midday.

A similar situation was observed at the Bulindo Village display centre at St Francis Church in Wakiso District, where an Electoral Commission official reportedly waited for hours without attending to any residents.

Some areas visited recorded no visible activity.

The low turnout has been attributed by some stakeholders to limited public sensitisation and the short duration of the exercise.

Betty Ethel Naluyima, the Shadow Minister for Local Government, criticised the Electoral Commission’s decision to conduct the display exercise for only two days and during weekdays when many residents are engaged in work.

“Two days is not enough for such an important exercise. The Electoral Commission should have displayed the register in public places where people can access it at their own convenience,” Naluyima said.

She warned that some eligible voters could miss the opportunity to verify their information, potentially affecting their participation in the elections.

However, the Electoral Commission defended the process, saying officials had been deployed across the country and residents still have time to participate.

Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi urged citizens to take interest in the exercise, noting that Local Council leaders are the closest representatives of government at community level.

“People should take part in the election of their Local Council leaders because these are the leaders closest to them. We cannot force anyone to participate in the display exercise because it is voluntary, but we encourage all eligible residents to turn up and verify their details,” Mucunguzi said.

The display exercise follows the recently concluded voter registration process and is intended to improve the accuracy and credibility of the voters’ register before polling day.

Electoral Commission officials say residents should use the opportunity to confirm their names, correct personal details and identify individuals who no longer reside in their respective villages.

The Local Council elections are expected to strengthen grassroots governance, with village leaders serving as the first point of contact between citizens and government services.