UHRC decries election related deaths, irregularities in central Uganda

The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has issued a comprehensive assessment of the recently concluded Presidential and Parliamentary elections. 

While acknowledging certain successes in the electoral process, the commission noted a disturbing trend of violence, digital restrictions, and logistical failures that marred the democratic exercise, particularly within the central region.

Mariam Wangadya, the Chairwoman of the UHRC told reporters on Sunday that the commission deployed a robust team of 121 observers to 990 polling stations across 78 districts to monitor the proceedings. 

While polling materials reached the majority of stations on time, the commission noted significant failures in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono. 

“Delays were recorded in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono with some polling materials arriving as late as 10am. Consequently , voting commenced between 9am and 11:30am at several polling stations,” she said.

“We observed that voters generally arrived as early as 7am in the morning and remained calm despite delays in the opening of polls.”

Ms Wangadya said her team noted that the security situation remained "largely calm" in most parts of the country, with police patrols conducted in a manner that did not interrupt polling. 

However, the UHRC raised concerns over the presence of firearms carried by polling constables in parts of Kampala, Ssembabule, and Mbarara, stressing that security deployment must be carefully calibrated to safeguard free participation. 

Most distressingly, the commission reported that the election was not bloodless. Outbreaks of violence in districts such as Bukedea, Mukono, and Luwero resulted in tragedy.

“Incidents of violence were reported in Rwemiyaga,Bukedea Mukono, Butambala, Mityana, Mityana, Luwero and Wakiso. Media reports cited 7 deaths, 4 gunshot injuries and 25 arrests in Bulatmaba and Kalungu,” she said 

The official figures released by the Electoral Commission revealed that out of 21,629,068 registered voters, only 11,366,201 cast their ballots. This represents a marked decline in civic participation; voter turnout plummeted to 52.5%, a drop of more than 6% compared to the 59.3% recorded in 2021.

Interestingly, the UHRC observed that while rural areas maintained a higher turnout, participation was particularly low in the urban centres of Kampala and Wakiso, suggesting a growing disconnect between the urban populace and the electoral process.

A major point of contention was the Uganda Communications Commission’s (UCC) decision to suspend internet access two days before polling. 

The UHRC noted that this "partial shutdown" impacted approximately 17 million subscribers, severely limiting their access to information and infringing upon their fundamental freedoms of expression and association. 

More so, Wangadya said the restriction of mobile money services hit rural communities the hardest, as many rely on these digital platforms as their primary alternative to formal banking systems. 

The commission argued that such measures, while intended to curb misinformation, significantly hampered the daily lives of citizens.