Final Election Observation Statement on Kamuli Constituency
Issued: April 13, 2017
Introduction
Kamuli District in Eastern Uganda is part of the Busoga sub-region. According to the National Bureau
of Statistics census report 2014, the district boasts of an estimated population of 500,800 people1.
Of this population, there are 29,668 registered voters who were expected to take part in the byelection today. The district is made up of one constituency and three sub-counties: Kamuli
Municipality, Northern Division and Southern Division. The district is comprised of the following
villages; Balawoli, Bulopa, Butansi, Kitayunjwa, Nabwigulu, Namasagali, Namwendwa, Bugulumbya,
Kisozi, Mbulamuti, Nawanyago and Warkole. Kamuli has 54 polling stations and the Citizens’
Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) deployed at 30 polling stations. In addition,
CCEDU had over 10 roving observers.
As a leading player in advocacy for electoral reforms, observation of general and by-elections and
civic/voter education campaigns, the Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU)
is in Kamuli to observe the election day processes and promote the integrity of electoral processes
by detecting and deterring electoral malpractices. CCEDU has a special mandate to observe Elections
in conformity with the relevant international instruments governing election observation and the
Constitution and National Laws of the Republic of Uganda2.
Launched on 19th August 2009, CCEDU is a broad coalition that brings together over 850 like-minded
civil society organizations and over 25,000 individuals to advocate for electoral democracy in
Uganda. The CCEDU secretariat is hosted by the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI).
CCEDU’s vision is to realize a Uganda where the principles and practices of electoral democracy are
upheld. Its mission is to advance integrity and citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral processes.
CCEDU carries out its work in all districts and regions of Uganda.
This statement presents the overall observations of the conduct of Election Day processes of the
CCEDU Election Observation Mission in Kamuli Constituency.
Methodology:
CCEDU mounted a scientific sample based observation mission by deploying 30 Election Day
observers, who are stationed at specific polling stations distributed evenly in Kamuli Municipality. In
addition, to the 30 observers, a team of 13 roving observers was on ground to ensure the smooth
process of observation. The 30 Election Day observers were trained to observe and report on
Election Day activities in their respective polling stations. Each of the observers have been equipped
1
http://www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/census_2014_regional_reports/Census_2014_Report%20_Eastern_Region.pdf
2
The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda is the primary law in Uganda; it has provisions in governing elections. The
constitutional provisions on elections are buttressed by statute law contained in: The Presidential Elections Act No.16 of 2005 as
amended, The Parliamentary Elections Act No.17 of 2005 as amended, The Local Governments Act 1997 as amended, The Electoral
Commission Act Cap. 243. The Political parties and Organizations Act
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with a checklist that they use as a guide to report using coded SMS which they send to an electronic
system at the CCEDU Elections Data centre.
Summary
CCEDU finds that the Election Day opening, set-up and polling processes were relatively wellorganized from an administrative perspective, save for a few isolated incidents were there was
violence and some voters were denied a chance to vote. Polling officials knew polling day
procedures and generally followed the legal provisions on opening of the polling station, set up and
voting.
Key observations:
1. Arrival
80% of Election Day officials had arrived at the polling stations by 6:30am, only 20% had not. It is
important for polling day officials to arrive on time because then the polls start on time.
2. Set Up and opening
During the set-up and opening of the polling stations administrative procedures were largely
followed:
 83% of observers reported that voting commenced between 7:11am and 8:00am with 17% starting
between 6:51am and 7:10am.
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All
the observers reported that at least five registered voters were at the opening of the polling
stations before the opening of the polling kit.
All observers reported the presence of all poll officials assigned to polling stations. The poll officials
at each polling station are five (one presiding officer, two polling assistants, a police constable and
an orderly officer)
At 100% of polling stations observed, polling officials followed the procedure for turning the ballot
boxes upside down.
100% observers reported that ballot boxes were sealed before voting commenced.
100% of observers reported that polling stations had all strategic materials (ballot boxes, voter’s
register, ballot papers, indelible ink, biometric verification systems and DR forms).
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Our
observers reported that 100% of all polling stations had NRM party agents, independent
candidates had agents in 93% of all the polling stations and FDC had 100% of party agents in all
polling stations.
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3. Polling:
During the voting process, polling officials at most polling stations followed procedures and the
Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS) relatively functioned well.
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In 86 of 100 polling stations observed, poll officials checked the fingers of every voter to
ensure he or she has not already voted.
All observers reported that the procedure for identifying voters through scanning of voter
allocation slips/ IDs was done.
All observers reported that the BVVS system functioned properly, and that every voter’s
right hand finger was scanned before voting.
Observers reported that 90% of voters were instructed by the officials on how to cast their
ballot and 10% of the voters were not instructed.
Observers reported that party agents were present at polling stations during voting with
NRM and FDC at 100% and independents at 93%.
93% of observers reported voters were able to vote secretly, but 7% of voters were not able
to vote secretly.
97% of observers reported voters fingers being marked with indelible ink and only 3% were
not.
63% of observers say some voters were turned away from voting while 33% reported that
none of the voters was turned away from voting.
70% of observers reported the police inside their assigned polling stations, 3% were army
and crime preventers and its only 23% who reported polling stations with authorized
persons.
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83% of observers reported some people were assisted to vote, 7% observers reported that
many people were assisted to vote while 10% reported that no one was assisted to vote.
77% of observers reported no intimidation, harassment or violence during voting against any
other persons, but 3% observers reported intimidation of election officials, party agents and
observers and 13% reported intimidation against voters.
87% of observers reported that everyone who was in the queue by 4:00pm was allowed to
vote, only 13% reported that there was no one in the queue by 4:00pm.
97% observers reported they were able to observe all aspects of the voting process while 3%
reported some restrictions.
Kamuli Municipality (Wards)
Namwendwa Ward
Kasoiga Ward
Bawanume
Kamuli Subawali Ward
Namisanga II Ward
Busota Ward
Mandwa Ward
Mulumba
Kamuli Namwendwa Ward
Nakulyaku Ward
Muwembwa Ward
Polling Stations with CCEDU
Observers Deployed
10%
10%
13%
7%
7%
10%
10%
5%
10%
13%
5%
Counting and Declaration of Results
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All observers reported that the presiding officer opened the ballot box in the presence of
candidate agents and all present before counting commenced.
 100% of observers reported that ballot boxes were sorted in full view of candidate agents.
In all 100 polling stations observed the poll officials filled out declaration in full view of all present.
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Counting and Declaration of Results
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In all polling stations observed DR forms were filled in full view of candidate agents.
Looking at each individual party agent deployment at polling stations at counting of votes
within Kamuli, NRM deployed 83% of agents within the constituency. FDC deployed 100%
party agents. Independents deployed 80% agents.
The unauthorized persons inside polling stations during counting and closing, 68% observers
reported they saw the police, 3% saw the army and 37% saw no one .
97% of Observers reported that there was no intimidation, harassment or violence during
counting, but 3% reported intimidation of electoral officials and 3% intimidation of party
agents.
All our observers reported that they were able to observe all aspects of the counting
process.
DR Forms: 100% NRM party agents were able to sign their declaration of results forms at the
polling station. 97% FDC party agents signed declaration forms. 23% party agents of
independent candidates signed DR forms while 77% agents of independents refused to sign
DR forms.
93% of the observers reported that the presiding officer announced the results to all those
present only 7% observers reported non-announcement.
90% of observers reported that the presiding officer was able to display a copy of the DR
form at the polling station and 10% reported that there was no display.
Reports from our observers indicate that presiding officer followed the procedures for
declaration of results by: Issuing a copy of all DR forms to all agents present, 97% observers
reported locking a copy of the Dr forms in the ballot box and sealing a copy of the DR form in
the tamper evidence in an envelope for transmission to the returning officer, but 3%
observers said this procedure was not followed.
Final Results
Name of Candidate
Kiboome Michael
Naikoba Prossy
Salaamu Musumba Proscovia
Walugyo Samuel
Watongola Rehema
Party Affiliation
Independent
Independent
FDC
Independent
NRM
Number of Votes
103
169
5,778
63
8726
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Total Number of Registered
Total Number of Valid Votes
Total Number of Rejected Votes
Total Number of Ballot papers Counted
Total number of spoilt ballot papers
29,668
14,839
368
15,207
14
Critical Incident Reports
Madaras Polling station
At 11:25 am at Madaras Polling station, FDC supervisors wanted to take photos, but the Polling
agents refused them from taking photos near the polling station. The FDC supervisors started to
cause chaos and chase the voters away. The polling agents felt so intimidated by these FDC
supervisors. The police took them away. They were 5 in number 4 men and 1 woman using a car reg.
number UAQ 870G Audi, dark red in colour
At Kyabazinga ss polling station at about 1:00pm, an observer reported an incident where a boy
aged 18 years wanted to vote in the names of John Mawanga. He was discovered by the police and
stopped. The name of the boy was not picked up by the observer.
Bulongo Polling Station
At 11:00am at Bulongo Polling station, a man called Siraj Kalembe came to the polling station to
cross check if all materials had been delivered, he was told by the polling agents to stick around.
NRM voters found him and asked him what he was doing there. There was a mini-scuffle and the
police calmed down the situation. All the people involved in this were male.
Nanyonga Polling station
At 9:00am at Nanyonga Polling station, the voters were complaining that an agent (not sure to which
party the agent belonged) was telling other voters to vote for their candidate. When the Police came
to calm them down, the voters started to accuse the police of telling them to go away so that they
(the police) could vote for Hajati. However, the situation was contained.
At 1:33pm, at the same polling station, our observer also reported that the Deputy RDC on finishing
voting saw a person suspected to be from Mbale. The RDC had a confrontation with the man,
accusing him of coming to give money to voters. He (the RDC) was joined by about 30 more people
who were able to convince the man to go away.
Conclusion
CCEDU observers recorded a number of malpractices that were orchestrated by supporters of FDC
and the NRM. At about 12:00pm there were allegations of voter bribery, by an agent of Hajjati
Wetongola at St Mark Primary School. The election was also characterized by incidents of violence
and a voter wanting to vote in the name of another person. However, our Observer at Kyabazinga
Senior Secondary Polling Station, was able to notice the anomaly and raised it with the authorities,
who arrested the young man before he would vote as John Mawanga. All these issues mean the
quality of the electoral process was compromised.
CCEDU was also concerned about the high number of unauthorized persons within the polling
stations and noted that quiet a number of people were denied a chance to vote. The Kamuli byelection registered a voter turn-out of 51%. On the whole, the general management of the process
was commendable with all polling stations commencing voting before 8:00am. It is also
commendable that increasingly, more party agents are observing the electoral processes from
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beginning to end. Party agents have the ability to promote the integrity of electoral processes by
raising a red flag on electoral ills.
Recommendations: For all by-elections the Electoral Commission should consider establishing a
dispute resolution desk that should be designed, formed and empowered to resolve disputes. This
desk should mainly comprise of lawyers. This desk would go a long way in resolving conflicts
amicably and making electoral results acceptable to all candidates.
CCEDU remains committed to improving the integrity of electoral processes in Uganda, by detecting
and deterring electoral malpractices through election observation.
CCEDU Contacts:
Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda
Website: www.ccedu.org.ug
Phone: 0794444410
Facebook: @CCEDU Uganda
Twitter: @cceduganda
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