Politics
Mukono RDC warns schools against involving students in LC1 elections
Ndisaba revealed that a district security meeting had received reports that some school heads had registered students on village voters’ registers to enable them to participate in the polls.
Hajat Fatuma Ndisaba Nabitaka, the Mukono Resident District Commissioner addressing the media in her office on Monday (July 27). (Photo by Henry Nsubuga)
By: Henry Nsubuga, Journalist @New Vision
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The resident district commissioner (RDC) for Mukono, Fatuma Ndisaba Nabitaka, has warned school administrators and teachers against involving students in the Local Council 1 (LC1) elections, saying the practice is illegal and could fuel violence.
Addressing journalists at her office at Mukono district headquarters on Monday (July 27) ahead of the village elections, Ndisaba revealed that a district security meeting had received reports that some school heads had registered students on village voters’ registers to enable them to participate in the polls.
She, however, did not name the schools involved but said teams would be dispatched to monitor them and ensure they do not allow students to participate in the elections.
The security meeting was attended by Mukono district returning officer George William Eliau, police commanders from Mukono and Naggalama divisions, and the district internal security officer (DISO).
"We have identified those involved, and residents have also provided us with information about the affected villages. We are closely monitoring the situation because we do not want violence involving students that could lead to bloodshed. Parents send their children to boarding schools to study, not to elect village leaders. Any school found engaging in this practice will be held accountable," Ndisaba warned.
She said security agencies, including the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service, had already deployed personnel across the district to maintain law and order during the elections.
The RDC further disclosed that security had identified about 75 villages as potential violence hotspots and that additional personnel would be deployed to those areas.
She noted that some of the identified hotspots are villages located within industrial areas, where reports indicate that some factory workers have been discouraged from voting on grounds that they are not residents.
"We have identified those involved, and residents have also provided us with information about the affected villages. We are closely monitoring the situation because we do not want violence involving students that could lead to bloodshed. Parents send their children to boarding schools to study, not to elect village leaders. Any school found engaging in this practice will be held accountable," Ndisaba warned.
She said security agencies, including the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service, had already deployed personnel across the district to maintain law and order during the elections.
The RDC further disclosed that security had identified about 75 villages as potential violence hotspots and that additional personnel would be deployed to those areas.
She noted that some of the identified hotspots are villages located within industrial areas, where reports indicate that some factory workers have been discouraged from voting on grounds that they are not residents.
Ndisaba clarified that the law allows workers to vote from the areas where they work.
"The law allows people to vote where they work, and these workers have a right to cast their ballots from those locations," she said.
Meanwhile, Mukono district returning officer George William Eliau said preparations for the elections had been completed, with election officials on standby to ensure a peaceful and orderly exercise.
Eliau revealed that out of the district’s 610 villages, candidates for LC1 chairperson positions in 25 villages had been elected unopposed.
Of the unopposed winners, 20 are from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), while two belong to the National Unity Platform (NUP). He said election officials remained committed to ensuring the elections are conducted smoothly and without disruption.
"The law allows people to vote where they work, and these workers have a right to cast their ballots from those locations," she said.
Meanwhile, Mukono district returning officer George William Eliau said preparations for the elections had been completed, with election officials on standby to ensure a peaceful and orderly exercise.
Eliau revealed that out of the district’s 610 villages, candidates for LC1 chairperson positions in 25 villages had been elected unopposed.
Of the unopposed winners, 20 are from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), while two belong to the National Unity Platform (NUP). He said election officials remained committed to ensuring the elections are conducted smoothly and without disruption.