Electoral Commission concerned over low voter turnout in recent by-elections

The chairperson of the EC, Justice Simon Byabakama, said the low voter turnout is a reason to worry because it means many people have less interest in participating in the democratic process of their country.

"We are concerned that fewer people have turned up for the most recent by-elections we have organised," he said.

Byabakama was speaking while referring to the recent by-elections organised, such as the Omoro, Bukedea, and the recently finished Hoima LC5 by-election, where the EC recorded a turnout of just 34% of the registered 94,532 voters.

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, however, attributed the people’s seeming lack of interest in the voting processes to pervasive and persistent irregularities.

The opposition has repeatedly rallied for electoral reforms, but these efforts have not yielded anything.

In the by-election held on Thursday, September 14, 2023, Uthman Mugisha of the National Resistance Movement won the contest with almost 18,300 votes, defeating Savana Muhumuza of the independent party, who received 12,000 votes, and Moses Aguuda of the NUP, who received 3,900 votes.

The other candidate is Vincent Muhumuza Savana, who contested on an independent ticket. He emerged second with 12,020 votes, while Moses Aguuda of the National Unity Platform (NUP) Party came third with 3,972 votes.

Patrick Musinguzi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) emerged fourth with 271 votes, while Lenox Mugume, who also contested on an independent ticket, was the last with 179 votes.