Uganda: Speaker Rebecca Kadaga on the Chronic Absenteeism dragging Parliamentary Work Behind (Audio)

UPC: Orginised Criminal Gang Cleared out of Uganda House (14.10.2016)

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On Hon. Nsereko: he is an Imposter of the Yellow, not so “independent” apparently!

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The former National Resistance Movement Member of Parliament in the Buganda Caucus cannot be seen as anything else than a skeleton of political figure after the reason actions by the man. He has been in the 9th Parliament into squabble with his mother-party NRM as he fought against it and even won as NRM Rebel MPs like Hon. Muhammed Nsereko tried to find a new “home”. That ended up sort-of being affiliated with the Forum for Democratic Change as he was running as an “Independent”. Nsereko had to take his rebel case all the way to Uganda’s Supreme Court and won over the State of Uganda there in midst of October 2015. Something that is just a year ago, now!

So after winning a seat in Parliament again, he ran wild on trying to upset the NRM rule of the August House of Parliament with ousting Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, he tried to do what the wifes of Hon. Oulanyah does, without making it apparently because Oulanyah came this time. Hon. Nsereko wanted to be the Deputy Speaker and be the underling of Hon. Rebecca Kadaga.

That was flawed from the get-go as the NRM Machine was working overtime and giving money for new suits and such to bribe the MPs into submission and get the MPs that Mzee trusted to follow the guidelines of his MPs. So Hon. Nsereko who tried with his posing as the Opposition candidate and the man to stand for FDC, DP and UPC to be the man for them to have, as the August House of Parliament deserved his service and his work ethic to keep the Parliament in order. That was something that wasn’t working as the service rendered from the bribed MPs came into order and his candidacy as flawed it could be.

After this and just being an MP and working as normal, even as the wealthy business man, who even these days have proven his wealth. He even showed up on the Independence Celebration of Mzee at Luuka District all smiling with the First Lady Janet Museveni and all of his noble clan of dignitaries. Where they we’re celebrating the independence in the name of greed and glory of the Movement.

So when he did so and when this week started as the man under Buganda Caucus was expecting money the Caucus to silence the Opposition and even trying to persuade the MPs there to go for working for the Ruling Regime. This was happening as an event we’re given directly from the State House 500m shillings. That we’re partly directed by the “Independent” man Hon. Nsereko who had been smiling in Luuka. The proof is right there…

Nsereko 19.05.2016

If you cannot believe it now, it is right there and visible like a the sun is shining. The former NRM Rebel, isn’t really a NRM Rebel as his cash-cow and money hungry soul who owns a parts of Football Club and even apartments’ in Zambia doesn’t’ want to divorce himself from NRM, that is just a play of guards and to look good in public. In reality with all of connections and with the knowledge that you need to know people and grease people to do business; the Hon. Nsereko must use the entire extended network for his personal gain. As he did in the Opposition, something he really wasn’t when you look into it.

So the pictures of his acts, his words against the Defiance and the Jobless Brotherhood another way of seeing that he isn’t really a opposition or wishing to be so. He we’re just there because he rebelled and now he tries to get back into the mother-party and good graces. Therefore smiling with Janet on the Independence Day and acting all sort of giddy while the affiliated with the FDC during the campaigns who he supposed to represented we’re detained, house-arrested and silenced at that moment. Though Nsereko we’re initially running as an “independent” because of his past aggression and misbehaving in Parliament: so this independent candidate isn’t that independent as he now could just become Yellow again if he was honest with himself and his stature; though that is in the mercy of Mzee and his NRM Electoral Commission.

We can now see his true Yellow colours, they are waving as flags in the wind. There are no questions that the rebel isn’t as rebellious as his greed and guts are more important that standards and development. His own personal interests and wealth is more important, just like the monies for cars, expenses and extra engorgements through the Parliament as MP is vastly more peculiar to him than delivering any policy or change that matters for his Buganda Constiuency. Trust me, he will only be a puppet for the NRM machine in this 10th Parliament, that is why he is there, though in fake pretence as a “Independent” because nothing about this man is “independent”. He is currently a stooge under the portfolio of Mzee. Peace!

Opinion: Can’t Museveni create his One-Party state already? I’m getting tired of this nonsense!

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Today I read and not in aw that the Uganda Police Force have not allowed the Forum for Democratic Change have separate Luuka celebration or celebration or possessions on the Independence day and in the Independence week. So initially the only ones independent and free is the ones following allegiance to the ruling regime and National Resistance Movement. As the others has to follow their program and effort, bow in silence and with relief of their limited liberty.

The ashes and razors of the Movement are now clear. The dusts of past glories are now overshadowing the marginalization’s of the open multi-party democracy that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni never really wanted or in-accurately really wanted to usher in. As the double unknown ballots and elections got it in. Still, the well rigged machinery and securing control of selected men has continued as the skeleton of free democracy has been there, but none in the sense that people really elected the men and woman to rule the nation. Because that we’re chosen from the National Executive Committee of the Movement or from the head itself.

In clarity I am tired of the charades of courtship when there ones taken there are for show or for the reason of making it look like rule of law. When the reality seems more following orders, than following laws and the institutions of justice; the elections are more fragile fully fledged money hungry politicians who ask for favours than trying to come with real policies or political framework to change Uganda. The few who do is very few and the Electoral Commission leaves very little circumstance as they cook the ballots to fit the program of President Museveni and by no-chance in burning hell leave the Parliament to other parties than his beloved Movement.

The initial tiredness today is not only because of the House-Arrest of Dr. Kizza Besigye, the knowledge of many FDC Youths lingering in jail, FDC members and leaders with the same faith, Democratic Party Youth and Leaders detained and political activists waiting trial and detained at random. That is just vicious effect of the political space and thin air of judgement from the master on top that want to have total control of monies, power and trying to capture respect.

President Museveni, do yourself a favour, I am tired and those who see what you do is tired. Not as the recess of Parliament is until 14th November, after a lousy-goosy month of September when the Parliament even we’re closed-up for while many MPs travelled to United States on Seminar. No the tired Mr. President comes from one thing, the impunity and the accessibility of liberty and freedom for other than the Movement. It is so limited for the rest like a parade.

Beti Kamya M7 01.09.2016

Museveni, the Parade, see what I got, see what I got: I got the Democratic Party, Uganda People’s Congress and so on; though he won’t be proud of FDC and the other defiance chapter of Multi-Party democracy he wished in his heart that everybody we’re as soft as Hon. Beti Kamya of Uganda Federal Alliance or Hon. Jimmy Akena of the Uganda People’s Congress.

So when the Police Force is continuing to disallow a political party to act, to be apart or have their own. They are struggling just to be allowed to have consultation meetings before the Campaign trial of General Election 2016. This is the proof of the little wish the Police Force and the Movement wants them to co-exist. They only let the ones co-exists if they are no threat or just for show. There are times the Democratic Party have been taken by local Police by just campaigning at night, while President Museveni had a car and lights into the late evening on his trail. It’s just a façade of rule of law and multi-party democracy.

And when it is sham, a charade and a façade, because that is what it is at this point. With the main contender, the power-broker behind bars in his own humble home in Kasangati. Besigye is the one that cannot be contained behind his gate and President Museveni knows this. He is creating havocs on his own with the force of his security organizations called the Police.

President Museveni your games should stop. Your nonsense and your misbehaving should stop and you should just close the gates. Something you really never wanted to open. You are not a democrat and never wanted to act as one. This is your only way to rise to power we’re through a Bush-War and devious killings of close allies and enemies to settle score to stay in power.

museveni-police-day-2016

You can use all kind of laws to settle the score, to keep them at bay and silence them. That is why the oppressive behaviour and the continuation of deliberate acts impunity and taking away freedom and justice for the ones who allegiance to other than the Movement. This is the proof of the recent act of Luuka preparations. As the FDC did comply with Public Order Management Act to file in the request for a public political event; as they did so the Police ordered it unlawful as they often do.

There we’re rare luck that the FDC and even Go-Forward at some point in recent months could without any consideration act as free parties, they had to comply with the law; while the NRM and their henchmen could file in the last minute and still be allowed. They nearly did it to save face, not because they really needed it; it was on order from the President to have meetings and celebrations at Kololo Independence Grounds or anywhere else for that matter. But if somebody else where to have something going on, than they had to apply and by luck get allowed to have meeting of their party!

This is something that remains a factor and not a relief this continuation and pro-longed fake democracy and fake ballot-stuffing piece of nonsense that keeps the Parliament and the Local Government in the control of the President; nobody else vision matter, they never have that is why he helped overthrow the other and became a rebel. For President Museveni nobody else’s vision for Uganda matters only his. President Museveni doesn’t even trust enough in his heir of Brig. Muhoozi or Maj. Gen. Muhoozi to be able to rule over anything else then the Special Force Command.

FDC HQ 19.02.2016 Police Siege

At this point of time the Movement and their President isn’t really caring about liberty, freedom or justice; if so the FDC wouldn’t be in trouble over a having a citizen travelling back to the homeland. If the Movement and the ruling regime cared for democracy than they would let the FDC and their members be free to congregate and do party work; instead the Movement uses the Police to siege the home of Besigye, treason charge on Hon. Michael Kabaziguruka, besieging the FDC Headquarters of Najjankumbi and all the other Political Activists who are behind bars.

They are all in the Courts, Detained at the Police Posts and the ones awaiting trial for being part of the wrong party at the wrong time. That is not democracy or justice that is the vision and the will of the President who built this system and fragile institutions that cannot even be able to fight corruption; unless they report directly to him so he can fix it. That is 30 years of concrete planning and marginalize the institutions and procedures so they have to go by the President if they ever where to become something or help somebody.

The Movement right now is the only Party and Institution who are allowed to co-exist with the Government. Well, it is the Government and runs the Government so that Ofwono Opondo can spell-out his lies and deceit still getting paid by hour. That is the wishes of this gracious king, sorry His Excellency President Museveni.

So please, please President Museveni does yourself a favour this façade and charade is too old for the world, for your cow-farming and for your tricks of old. Its time relax; continue to thieving of government funds while getting NGOs to feed the starving refugees as you have had. This while foreign donors get to take land for their business and your citizens get into PoC camps. There is time to silence the critics and be your true self. That is being the anti-democratic person who only believes in his own vision. The vision of your own power and rule is the only one that matters; the rest is rubbish and nonsense. Peace.

Uganda: Is Orient Bank abetting Peter Walubiri Mukidi? (21.09.2016)

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Orient Bank’s action suggests that the President of Uganda Parliament, the Electoral Commission and the Voters of Uganda are Idiots! (14.09.2016)

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UPC: Solidarity/Congratulation Message (02.09.2016)

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NRM claim victory in recent elections in the new districts; it was expected, but how long can they rule on borrowed time?

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It is just one of these days, where the result of the recent election; to be frank another one of days after the ballot is casted and things are just back to normal. It is just one of these days. Where the news of the National Resistance Movement picking up most of mandates and representatives from the newly created districts in Kibaale, Kagadi, Rubanda Omoro and Kakumiro.

The ones that are surprised that there do exist a voting apathy and low turnouts has lost the plot since the rigging generation under the current administration. As there are clear reports of Pre-Ticked Ballots even in this minor election. Where the good news we are that the Electoral Commission was actually prepared and had some sense of delivering Electoral Material. Though late at some polling stations as 10:40 but still closing the Polling Station at ordinary time, which is an insult to injury.

It was not strange that the Movement got most of the candidate in a race where the locals anticipated bribes to decide their votes. Something the CCEDU clearly saw and reported in the districts. Where the Police and Crime Preventers was guards at the Polling Stations, but the good news was no clear violence during the election. The only one where the certain individuals where caught planning to put fire on one radio-station. While it were reports that other Radio Stations had focus on spreading the news of the Movement and let the others, just run astray. This is a proof of malpractice and maladministration as the ruling regime does not care about the freedoms of assembly of the fellow citizens.

Together with FDC Mobilisers who tailgated NRM initiators who we’re bribing locals to vote for them and in the end ended up serving time in jail for questioning the behaviour of the Movement. This proves that the fate is already sealed and that the election is not a necessary arrangement for picking leaders since the Movement have already done it for you. The FDC did not get any mandate, but still had more campaigns that the other parties who really put their soul into the campaign of Omoro, where the NRM captured the representative. In all the new districts all but one person outside the Movement got a position and that was an Independent Candidate. The system obviously made ready for this kind of outcome. As the registered leaders of other parties where in Omoro and the contests as the newly formed districts where the function was clearly a horserace to bribe the men and woman to give them vote and let them be for the rest of the term.

The Forum for Democratic Change lost this one, but the contest of bribing; the Movement won it. Certainly, the Uganda People’s Congress and Democratic Party must feel hurt by losing Omoro District to the Movement, but their way of bamboozling opposition continues and it is a reason why Hon. Jacob Oulanyah still is an MP and Deputy Speaker in the 10th Parliament. Not because of his ethics, but because of the Movements acts to stay in Power.

The initial outcome was set from the get-go. The reality is the same as yesterday. The Movement the shallow creature it is ask Selah. Sorry, ask Sevo. Not ask Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda and not Hon. Edward Ssekandi. Remember ask Selah, he can answer why the Movement in shallow in the chambers of the hotel he is lodged in eating on government salaries.

It is reasons why the elections in the newly created districts ended this way; the signs in the stars and moons was smiling about it. At least what the cow farmer is concerned. The Movement continues to linger on and cheat their way to happiness and further acts that are more corrupt and behaviour into oblivion. Still, they wonder why there are voter apathy and uncertainty of value of their ballot unless they get some shillings to buy soap or millet.

The Movement can celebrate these wins like a victory of their glorious movement who is a people’s movement, as they did with the double celebration at Kololo after both the ballots, the rigging and the Supreme Court validate the Movement and its leadership yet again. But the reality is that is on borrowed time as the apathy proves the dissolution of the current leadership. The tiredness and current instability of the ones above. The silence and contempt will surface, but when it boil over is not something you can say.

The only way for this to end well is if the apathy turns into pleasure of the current status quo and that the people, the citizens are contempt with keeping the militarized Movement there. If not, then there are something else brewing; that is something Sevo and Selah doesn’t want hear. They might swallowed and paid through the hurdles for this one. Made it peaceful and organized it to an extent well, but the tarnished reputation, the violent Police Force and the abuses cannot last forever. You cannot keep your opposition in prison and still legitimize your rule. Just like the wise men of Nakawa in Kampala these days tries to defend.

The Movement and their supporters might believe they won this one and got it. But they didn’t. They bribed it and took it. They didn’t win it. They didn’t because it wasn’t rhetoric or policies that won, but who pays who for their vote. If the locals expect always to be paid for their vote, then the coffers won’t sore but be tore. As proven with the recent expensive campaign trail of Mzee and the empty bank accounts of the State House right before the opening of the 10th Parliament.

So enjoy your victories and pleasures of emptiness as the borrowed time and for every minute counting the expected payback will come. How and when is not up to me to say, but the grave danger of missteps and loosen control will widen the spectrum and the disfranchised citizens might want their justice back. Peace.

Final Election Observation Statement in Kakumiro, Kibaale, Kagadi, Rubanda and Omoro Districts (30.08.2016)

Kagadi 29.08.2016

The Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) was launched on 19th August 2009. CCEDU is a broad coalition that brings together over 850 like-minded civil society organizations and over 25,000 individuals to advocate for electoral democracy in Uganda. The CCEDU secretariat is hosted by the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI). CCEDU’s vision is to realize a Uganda where the principles and practices of electoral democracy are upheld. Its mission is to advance integrity and citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral process. CCEDU carries out its work in all districts and regions of Uganda. Since its establishment, CCEDU has been a leading player in advocacy for electoral reforms, observation of general and by-elections and civic/voter education campaigns.

CCEDU has a special mandate to observe Elections in conformity with the relevant international instruments governing election observation and the Constitution and National Laws of the Republic of Uganda.[1]

This statement presents the overall observations of the conduct of Election Day process of the CCEDU Election Observation Mission in the five districts.

 Summary

CCEDU finds that the Election Day processes were relatively peaceful and better organized from an administration perspective. Polling officials knew polling day procedures and generally followed the legal provisions on opening of the polling station, set up, voting, closing and counting. However, there were some challenges during the polling process notably some voters who were not permitted to vote. Additionally, although the election procedures allow for assisted voting, CCEDU noted cases of voters who were assisted to vote in many of the polling stations observed.

Set Up and opening

 Although many polling stations opened after 7am, the polling officials generally followed the laid out procedures for opening and set up. Additionally, the few incidents of missing materials mainly indelible ink were also resolved.

Voting

During the voting process, polling officials at most polling stations followed procedures and the Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS) relatively functioned well.
In 84 of 100 polling stations observed, voters were checked for ink before receiving a ballot.

  • All polling stations observed had the BVVS. In 84 of 100 polling stations observed the BVVS functioned properly. Among the 16 that malfunctioned, 10 were fixed and 3 were replaced.
  • Polling officials instructed voters on voting procedures in 89 of the 100 polling stations observed
  • In 86 of the 100 polling stations observed, voters were able to vote in secret.
  • In 66 of the 100 polling stations observed, there were no unauthorized personnel present inside the polling station. However, police and crime preventers were present in 19 of polling stations.
  • High numbers of voters were assisted to vote. In 78 of the 100 polling stations observed some (1 – 14) voters were assisted to vote. In 6 of the polling stations observed more than 15 voters were assisted to vote. Unidentified people assisted voters in 67 of the 100 polling stations observed, while election officials and party agents assisted voters in 16 and 14 of the polling stations respectively contrary to the law.

Chart 1 representing number of voters assisted to vote based on data from 100 polling stations observed by CCEDU

District Polling Stations with CCEDU Observers Polling stations with between 1-14 voters assisted to Vote
Kagadi 33 28
Kakumiro 22 16
Kibaale 12 9
Omoro 14 11
Rubanda 19 14

NRM party agents were present in all the 5 districts (in 99 of the 100 polling stations observed), Independent candidates agents present in Kagadi, Kakumiro, Omoro and Rubanda (in 85 of the 100 polling stations observed) and FDC party agents present in Kagadi, Kibaale, Omoro and Rubanda (in 78 polling stations observed.) However UPC, DP and PP party agents presence is limited to Omoro district.

  • In 84 of the 100 polling stations observed, all voters in queue by 4pm were able to vote.

Omoro Election 2016

Counting and Declaration of Results

  •     In 99 of the 100 polling stations, polling officials opened the ballot box and sorted ballots in full view of the candidates’ agents.
  • 62 of polling stations did not have unauthorized personnel present during counting. However, 23 of polling stations observed had police present and 22 of polling stations had crime preventers present.
  • Party agents are useful in an election because they can deter fraud especially if they are vigilant and loyal to their candidate/party. During counting NRM party agents were present in all the 5 districts (in 98 of the 100 polling stations observed), Independent candidates agents present in Kagadi, Kakumiro, Omoro and Rubanda (in 82 of the 100 polling stations observed) and FDC party agents present in Kagadi, Kibaale, Omoro and Rubanda (in 74 polling stations observed.) However UPC and DP presence is limited to Omoro district. PPP party agents were not present during counting in any district.
  • Where party agents of NRM were present, their agents signed the Declaration of Results form in 94 of 100 polling stations. They refused to sign in 5 of the 100 polling stations observed.
  • Where agents of FDC were present, their agents signed the Declaration of Results form in 72 of 100 polling stations. Where FDC agents were present, they refused to sign in 4 of the 100 polling stations observed.
  • Where party agents of UPC were present, their agents signed the Declaration of Results form in 15 of 100 polling stations. They refused to sign in 0 of the 100 polling stations observed.
  • Where party agents of DP were present, their agents signed the Declaration of Results form in 15 of 100 polling stations. They refused to sign in 2 of the 100 polling stations observed.
  • Where party agents of PPP were present, their agents signed the Declaration of Results form in 6 of 100 polling stations. They refused to sign in 0 of the 100 polling stations observed.
  • Where party agents of independent candidates were present, their agents signed the Declaration of Results form in 79 of 100 polling stations. They refused to sign in 8 of the 100 polling stations observed.
  • Election results were posted publicly at 86 of the 100 polling stations observed and in all the polling station observed the presiding officer sealed a copy of the DR form in the tamper evident envelope for transmission to the Returning officer.

Critical Incident Reports

CCEDU received 22 critical incidents and verified 17. The highest number of incidents reported from Rubanda (7) and Kakumiro (6) Kagadi (2) and Omoro (1) had the least number of incidents reported.

  • Vote buying/voter bribery was the most reported incidents in Rubanda, Omoro and Kakumiro
  • Incidents of violence including disruption of voting were the second most reported in Kakumiro, Omoro and Kagadi
  • Incidents of unauthorized persons assisting others to vote were the third most reported critical incidents reported in Kakumiro.
  • In Rubanda there was also a case of impersonation of voters reported.
  • In Omoro voting ended at 5:00pm but voting materials from the polling stations arrived at the tally centre at 10:40pm.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that there were a few incidents of violence reported, CCEDU applauds voters in Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kibaale, Omoro and Rubanda for maintaining peace and calm during the elections. However, CCEDU is concerned that voters are increasingly demanding for bribes from candidates which is a point of concern in our electoral processes. CCEDU urges voters to desist from demanding for bribes and urges candidates to desist from buying voters.

CCEDU remains committed to improving the integrity of electoral processes in Uganda.

For God and my country.

Preliminary Election Observation Statement in Kakumiro, Kibaale, Kagadi, Rubanda and Omoro Districts (29.08.2016)

Kagadi 29.08.2016

The Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) was launched on 19th August 2009. CCEDU is a broad coalition that brings together over 850 like-minded civil society organizations and over 25,000 individuals to advocate for electoral democracy in Uganda. The CCEDU secretariat is hosted by the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI). CCEDU’s vision is to realize a Uganda where the principles and practices of electoral democracy are upheld. Its mission is to advance integrity and citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral process. CCEDU carries out its work in all districts and regions of Uganda. Since its establishment, CCEDU has been a leading player in advocacy for electoral reforms, observation of general and by-elections and civic/voter education campaigns.
CCEDU has a special mandate to observe Elections in conformity with the relevant international instruments governing election observation and the Constitution and National Laws of the Republic of Uganda
This statement presents the preliminary observations on the opening and setup process of the CCEDU Election Observation Mission in the five districts. CCEDU share a more detailed report with once more information has been received from our observers.

SUMMARY

In August 2015, government approved the creation of new districts. Subsequently, the EC, on 30 June 2016, announced the programme for Parliamentary and Local Government Councils election in five of the newly created districts namely Kakumiro and Kagadi curved out of Kibaale district; Rubanda curved out of present day Kabale district and Omoro curved out of present day Gulu district. The offices for election are: District Woman Member of Parliament, Local Council V chairpersons and Youth representative.
In line with its mission to enhance integrity, transparency and active citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral processes, CCEDU commissioned an election observation mission in the five (5) districts, to observe the pre-election, Election Day and post-election periods.
CCEDU has deployed 100 polling station observers distributed proportionally in all the 49 sub counties that make up the five districts. These have been stationed across all the 49 sub counties to observe and report on the Election Day processes at the polling stations. (See Annex of CCEDU Observer Distribution in the 5 districts). These 100 observers are supported by 5 district supervisors, one in each district. Additionally CCEDU members and staff of CCEDU secretariat are on ground supplementing reports from the stationary observers.

PRELIMINARY ELECTION DAY FINDINGS

The conduct of the elections was guided by the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, the Parliamentary Elections Act 2005, the Local Government Act 1997 as amended and the Electoral Commission Act 1997.

This statement is based on observer reports and incidents filed by all the 100 observers deployed in the 5 districts as at 11:40 am focusing on the opening and setup process.

Kibaale District 29.08.2016

Findings on Set-up and Opening Process:

On the opening and set up process, CCEDU has observed the following:

• Polling officials had arrived only in 28 polling stations of the 100 polling stations by 6:30am. Although Omoro had a higher presence of polling officials, on the contrary, polling officials in Kakumiro, Kagadi, Kibaale and Rubanda districts were not present at polling stations by 6:30 which affected the opening of most polling stations.

• The Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Acts as amended provide for polling to begin at 7:00am and end at 4:00pm. By 7:00am, only 10 polling stations out of the 100 polling stations observed in the five districts had opened. Although most of the polling stations (72 of 100 polling stations) observed had opened by 8:00am. 27 polling stations opened after 8:30am.

• Although 91 of 100 polling stations observed had all strategic materials, 5 polling stations in Kagadi, Kakumiro and Rubanda were missing indelible ink and 1 polling station in Rubanda was missing the voter register.

• In line with Objective VI of the national objectives and directive principles of state policy, which provides for gender balance in all government institutions, out of the 4 polling officials in the 100 polling stations observed, at least 2 of polling officials were women.

• In most of the polling stations observed, polling officials followed procedure by observing the presence of at least 5 registered voters in 95 of the 100 polling stations observed. Additionally, polling officials in 95 of the 100 polling stations observed displayed ballot boxes to be empty before voting commenced observed and in 93 of 100 polling stations observed polling officials followed the set procedure of sealing ballot boxes before voting commenced.

• CCEDU observers have also noted the presence of party agents across all districts. NRM party agents were present in all the 5 districts (in 96 of the 100 polling stations observed), Independent candidates agents present in Kagadi, Kakumiro, Omoro and Rubanda (in 75 of the 100 polling stations observed) and FDC party agents present in Kagadi, Kibaale, Omoro and Rubanda (in 58 polling stations observed.) However UPC, DP and PP party agents presence is limited to Omoro district.
Critical Incidents:

The following critical incidents have been reported and confirmed by CCEDU observers between 7:00am and 11:40am:

• Biometric Voter verification systems malfunctioned in Kibaale District, Buyanja County, and Matale A Sub-county and at Nkooko B polling station, Bugangaizi East County, Kakumiro District.
Voter bribery has been reported in Bubare C polling station, Rubanda county East in Rubanda District.
• A fight between agents of an NRM candidate and an agent of an Independent candidate were reported and confirmed at Birembo A Sub-county, Bugangaizi West County in Kakumiro District.
• In Kyanyi Polling station, polling station code 01 in Nyamarinda Sub-county, Kibaale district, it was observed that 4 people known to be deceased had their names ticked in the voter’s register as though the deceased had voted.
Kakumiro community radio was reported to have been campaigning for an NRM candidate in Kakumiro town council, Kakumiro district.
• Agents of independent candidates were said to have manhandled an agent for the NRM candidate at Kakindo sub-county, Bugangaizi West county, Kakumiro district.

Omoro Election 2016
Conclusion

CCEDU remains committed to objectively observing and reporting on the elections as they unfold in the five districts. We shall provide a comprehensive statement on the polling and closing, counting and tabulation processes tomorrow August 30 at 10:00am.

We urge voters to remain peaceful and come out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote.

For God and my country.