Low voter turnout marks Kampala lord mayor and councillor elections

22 January 2026, 11:56 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Electoral Commission (EC) spokesperson, Julius Mucunguzi, has urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers and participate in today’s polling for the positions of Lord Mayor, district councillors, and other local government posts, following reports of low voter turnout at many polling stations nationwide.

According to the Electoral Commission, polling was scheduled to begin at exactly 7:00 a.m. However, at the time of compiling this report, voting had not commenced at several polling stations due to failure to meet the legally required minimum of ten eligible voters, despite polling materials and equipment being in place.

“We encourage the general public, especially eligible voters, to go out and participate in today’s voting exercise. Voting will end at 4:00 p.m., so please go and vote. The Chairperson may not extend voting hours as he did last time,” Mucunguzi said.

Interactions with some voters, however, revealed widespread voter apathy, largely stemming from disappointment with previous election outcomes. Some citizens said they had lost confidence after their preferred candidates failed to win in earlier polls.

Timothy Sekajja, a voter from Lubaga North Division in Kampala District, said he was uncertain whether he would vote.

“Today I may not go for polling because I was disappointed last time. My candidates never went through, and that made me feel bad. But you never know, I may go and only vote for the Lord Mayor because we are thirsty for change. For other positions, I don’t think I will vote because most candidates go there to represent themselves, not us, the common people,” Sekajja said.

Another voter, Carolyn Ayebare, a resident of Kasubi in Lubaga North Division, said a lack of information contributed to the low turnout.

“I was not even aware that today we are voting for Lord Mayor and councillors. Some colleagues later called to inform me. I will go and vote in the afternoon,” Ayebare said.

She criticised the Electoral Commission for inadequate voter sensitisation.

“I think the Electoral Commission has not done enough advertising. That is why the numbers are very low. Some people do not even know that there is polling today. The only thing pushing me to vote is that it is hard to demand services from someone you never voted for,” she added.

In Kampala District, the main contenders for the Lord Mayor position include incumbent Erias Lukwago of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and Ronald Balimwezo of the National Unity Platform (NUP). Other candidates include Moses Kizito of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), among others.

Voting for the Lord Mayor is being conducted across all five divisions of Kampala: Makindye, Lubaga, Nakawa, Kampala Central, and Kawempe.