KAYUNGA – As Uganda prepares for the Village Women Committees elections on Thursday, Kayunga District Returning Officer Elizabeth Namirembe has appealed to residents to maintain peace and order, warning that election related violence could leave lasting divisions within communities.
Namirembe said the Women Council elections differ from parliamentary or presidential elections because both candidates and voters are members of the same villages who continue living and working together after the polls.
“All the voters and candidates come from the same community. If people fight or disrupt the election process, it creates resentment and hatred that can persist long after the elections are over,” she said.
She said the Electoral Commission has been conducting sensitisation meetings across the district, engaging voters, election officials, and local leaders in different sub counties to ensure they understand the voting procedures and the importance of conducting peaceful, transparent elections.
Namirembe urged voters to arrive at polling stations early, saying punctuality would help ensure the exercise begins on time and minimise unnecessary confusion.
She also warned that anyone who attempts to disrupt the electoral process will face legal action in accordance with Uganda’s electoral laws.
The Returning Officer explained that voting will begin with the reading of the voters register at 8:00 am before proceeding to the lining up method, where candidates stand before voters and supporters line up behind their preferred candidate.
She noted that results will be declared immediately at each polling station after the counting process is completed.
“Unlike presidential or parliamentary elections where results are transmitted to tally centres, the winners in the Women Council elections will be announced at the polling station. The district election office will only supervise the process and handle any complaints that may arise,” Namirembe said.
The Village Women Committees elections are part of Uganda’s local governance system aimed at strengthening grassroots participation and increasing women’s representation in community leadership.
Authorities have emphasised that peaceful elections are critical because Women Councils play an important role in promoting women’s rights, mobilising communities for development programmes, and fostering social cohesion at the village level.
Political observers say Thursday’s elections will also provide an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of voter sensitisation efforts and the capacity of local leaders and election officials to manage electoral tensions in closely knit communities.
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