The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | There is a delay in delivery of voting material and chaos at several polling stations in Kawempe North as the National Resistance Movement conducts primaries.
At some stations, there is no show of registers and voting material yet and members are waiting, crowded at the entrances without observing social distance at polling stations. In Kyabando Central Zone members converged at St Paul Kyebando Primary School to vote for their candidates but by 9:48, members were still waiting at the entrance with polling officers inside the school.
The members shouting at the gate asked what time they would be allowed inside to scan the register and cast their vote by 11 am. Others, as though not aware that actual voting starts at 11 am, started shouting that they should be left to vote and go back to their workplaces.
In Erisa zone, members gathered at Homisdallen Primary School but by 9:30, the polling officers were nowhere to be seen. They patiently waited outside as the officers had communicated that they would come soon. Harriet Nabuliba, an agent to one of the candidates said the officials had promised to come in soon.
At Kisowera zone, Moses Muzaira, a polling officer said the materials would come in at 10 a.m. The voters at the station were coming in slowly after 8 am.
At Kiganda zone, the NRM chairman of the area Nsubuga Ndiwalana was still setting up the polling area by 9 am. He said they would start reviewing the register soon but no members had come in yet by that time.
At all polling stations visited, Uganda police are providing security. The officers have been given strict instructions not to let in anyone without a mask. At St. Paul members were warned prior and many were seen going back to grab one so they can vote for their candidates.
Social Distancing in Kawempe polls remains a myth to many. Members are standing or sitting close to each other.
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