By Nanteza Ruth Walusimbi
JINJA CITY
Election of Local government leaders in Jinja City held on Thursday 22nd January 2025 were marred by violence and ballot staffing to the dismay of the voters.
In Kibibi ward Budondo Jinja Northern division voting was disrupted as voters and election officers were attacked by un identified goons. At AOET polling station in Wanyama Ward Bugembe the story wasn’t any different as unidentified goons surrounded the area demanding to cast their votes from there despite not appearing in the register.
The race had 14 contenders but the tussle was between Incumbent mayor Alton Peter Kasolo an independent, NUP’s Kirunda Mubarak and NRM’s Hajji Nagaya Abdulahfiz.
The race also attracted Juluis Zziwa, Nicholas Kalanzi,Nsadha Simon Muweesi among others.
The scuffle unfolded at Buwairama Mosque Compound Polling station and Bususwa Church of Uganda A-M polling station when a one Sula Muyita contesting for councillorship at Jinja City Council allegedly arrived with a group of supporters.
The polling officer identified as John Tiwaaku alleged the group beat up polling officials and grabbed the ballot papers ticking their favorite candidates. This left a number of people with injuries.
Returning Officer Flavia Nakasi confirmed both incidents working together with the police led by the DPC David Kamugira had some people arrested to record statements including a presiding officer John Tiwaaku at Buwenge Police.
By the time of filing this story the Jinja Returning Officer had not yet declared the winner.
