Minister Balaam Intervenes to Uphold NUP Victory in Disputed Masaka Village Poll

Tensions flared in Kirinda Village, Masaka City, during the Local Council 1 (LC1) elections when the results appeared to be manipulated. Initially, National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Denis Lubega seemed to have garnered significant support, with voters visibly aligning behind him. However, the presiding election official controversially declared the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate as the winner before the process was fully concluded, leading to an uproar among residents.

The situation escalated when NUP supporters intercepted the convoy of the Minister of State for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, to apprise him of the disputed outcome. Swiftly responding to the concerns, Minister Barugahara, accompanied by security and Electoral Commission officials, arrived at the polling station.

Recognizing the need for a transparent process, Barugahara ordered a repeat of the voting. “The election must be conducted fairly and transparently. If there is doubt about the results, the process should be repeated so that the true will of the people is respected,” he stated.

The rerun confirmed the initial sentiment, with the majority of voters lining up behind Denis Lubega. Consequently, the NRM candidate, Zaverio Nsubuga, conceded defeat.

An elated Lubega thanked Minister Barugahara and President Museveni for ensuring the integrity of the election. In a gesture of unity, Lubega appointed his former rival, Nsubuga, as the deputy village chairperson, emphasizing a commitment to collaborative development for Kirinda Village.

Minister Barugahara also issued a stern warning against electoral malpractice, cautioning against attempts to subvert the democratic process under false pretenses. He affirmed the government’s commitment to respecting the legitimate choices of the electorate.

Similar electoral disagreements were reported in Kantungamye–Kingo, where Edward Mugarura eventually emerged as the winner after the resolution of initial disputes.

Source: Nile Post