Rival independents clash over self-assigned election symbols in Jinja

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While the Jinja district returning officer, Sarah Catherine Kabukaire, said the nomination exercise kicked off peacefully, she expressed regret over how some candidates chose to allocate symbols.

The exercise, which got underway on Wednesday, October 22, at the Kagoma Town Council headquarters in Jinja district, was marred by some independent candidates who usurped the Electoral Commission’s role by allocating themselves symbols, contrary to the nomination process.

Jinja district returning officer, Sarah Catherine Kabukaire (R) and another official during the nomination exercise at Kagoma town council headquarters in Jinja district. (Photo by Jackie Nambogga)

According to Kabukaire, independent candidates are only allowed to agree on a symbol during the nomination exercise. However, some returned their nomination documents already indicating symbols of their own choosing.

She said this was the only misunderstanding recorded by the electoral body in relation to symbols.

As a result, there were some delays as Kabukaire invited the affected parties to agree on a way forward by allowing one candidate to forgo the disputed symbol.

She cited aspirants for the Butembe County parliamentary seat as an example, where the issue of symbols caused prolonged disagreement.

The affected candidates included Shaban Okumu, who lost the NRM party primaries to Jacob Kabondo, and Kenneth Muwanika. The two repeatedly approached Kabukaire’s table, hoping to have the matter resolved in vain.

Shaban Okumu flanked by his wife, waves the Uganda flag after scrambling for the symbol during his nomination to vie for Butembe county in Jinja district on Wednesday. (Photo by Jackie Nambogga)

Each aspirant claimed to have been the first to select the symbol in question, though Kabukaire declined to reveal which one it was.

She said that the aspirant who had already printed posters bearing his chosen symbol was allowed to keep it, while the other was asked to settle for a different one.

Aside from this issue, Kabukaire described the first day as peaceful, with aspirants adhering to the guidelines issued by both the Police and the Electoral Commission.

“We have enjoyed good cooperation with the candidates; they have all adhered to the EC guidelines of not exceeding the agreed number of their supporters and police directives on processions,” she said.

While Okumu declined to speak to journalists, Muwanika was appreciative.

A senior consultant and third-time contender for the seat, vying as an independent, Muwanika pledged to promote cocoa growing as a way to diversify the local economy.

He explained that he would lobby the government to construct a bridge connecting Busoga to Teso to boost agriculture.

Kenneth Muwanika and wife looking puzzled in the nomination hall upon realizing that his symbol had been allocated to another candidate. (Photo by Jackie Nambogga)

Since the Basoga are known for consuming groundnuts, which are grown in abundance in Teso, Muwanika said the bridge would help farmers transport their produce more easily.

He also promised to advocate for improved interior roads in Busoga and promote tourism by establishing fish-tasting centres for foreigners to participate in fishing and tasting activities.

According to him, such initiatives would bring income to local communities by creating opportunities to sell crafts and generate cash.