Will FDC Maintain Grip on Kasese Without Besigye?

In 2019, Saul Maate, the Kasese District LC V Chairperson suspended four FDC legislators from the district executive committee accusing them of having ties with president, Yoweri Museveni and shunning party meetings.

Those whose nomination was cancelled include Sophie Malinga, Dinah Eveline Akongot, Jessica Asio, Naume Ekwenare, Ketty Akello, and Mary Goretti Kitaka. According to the Electoral Commission, all the six had discrepancies in their paperwork, which upon scrutiny led to a conclusion that they were erroneously nominated.

The presiding officer George Mukalazi declared Iddi Matovu the chairperson. Matovu polled 54 votes against Democratic Party (DP)’s Jonathan Semukuye who got 32 votes.

The turn up is raising although at most polling stations in Kikoni, Makerere, Bwaise and Kawempe it is mostly youth groups moving with candidates posters and ply cards while chanting their names and urging people to turn up and vote.

Most opposition politicians have opted to contest on the independent ticket while others have since reversed their decisions and joined the ruling NRM, a party they once vehemently opposed.

The youth leaders say that the time allotted during the election of village youth committees on Monday was unfavourable and affected their ability to participate in the exercise. The election was held between 8 a.m and 2 p.m But the youth leaders want the election to be limited to only two hours running between 8-10 a.m. to attract and retain a sizeable number of voters during elections.

Farouq Migadde, an independent candidate for the post of Chairperson Luweero Central Youth Committee, said although polling officials arrived on time there were few voters, which delayed the exercise.