Jinja city vote tallying commences late amid delays, tight security

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The Jinja city tally centre at Jinja Senior Secondary School officially commenced the process of tallying results from the January 15, 2026, General Election late at night, with Electoral Commission returning officer Flavia Nakasi overseeing the exercise.

In her opening remarks, Nakasi welcomed stakeholders, candidates' agents, observers and members of the public to the tally centre, acknowledging the long journey everyone had undertaken throughout the electoral process.

She outlined the categories of results being tallied, including those for presidential candidates, directly elected Members of Parliament and the Jinja City Woman MP.

The returning officer expressed regret over the delayed start, attributing it to several mishaps that needed resolution before proceedings could begin.

“I want to take this opportunity, first of all, to apologise for having started at this time. There have been several mishaps that we had to fix before starting here. We are sorry for the delay, it was not our making, but we promise to catch up with the lost time and see ourselves accomplish within the given time,” Nakasi stated.

She urged all present to maintain decorum, follow guidelines, and raise any concerns diplomatically rather than disruptively, especially when results from polling stations are announced.

Nakasi emphasised that agents should have copies of their declaration of results forms for verification purposes.

To ensure accuracy and minimise errors, the technical team is employing a double-entry system, where two individuals independently input the same data for cross-checking.

Results are being displayed on a large screen for transparency, and Nakasi encouraged everyone to trust the system.

“These results are entered in a multiple kind of arrangement. It's not a one-person entry, but a double entry. Two people enter the same results for checking purposes. To avoid the margin of error. So, please trust the system. Believe in the system that it will deliver the results that you're going to present,” she added.

The tallying process started with partial results received from various electoral areas, as the Returning Officer opted to proceed without waiting for 100% submission from all polling stations to save time, while promising to remain orderly and keep all stakeholders informed.

Security remains tight at the venue, under the leadership of Jinja City DPC David Kamugira.

As late as 12:40am, vehicles escorted by UPDF soldiers, Police officers, and prison wardens continued to deliver sealed ballot boxes and copies of declaration forms from polling stations.

Notably, several prominent Opposition candidates from the National Unity Platform (NUP) were present at the tally centre, including incumbent MP for Jinja South West Constituency Dr Timothy Batuwa Lusala, NUP candidate for Jinja City Woman MP Sarah Lwansasula, NUP candidate for Jinja Northern Division Hussein Muyonjo and NUP candidate for Jinja South East Constituency Paul Mwiru. Daniel Kanu, an Independent candidate in the Jinja South West race, was present too. 

NRM candidates were observed at the venue during the early hours of the tallying process, like NRM’s Moses Grace Balyeku for Jinja South West Constituency seat and Daudi Migereko, a representative of the NRM regional co-ordinating team (RCT) for Busoga sub region and also Board chairperson Uganda Railway Corporation (URC).

The tally centre operations come after a nationwide voting day on January 15, with the Electoral Commission working to compile and announce results in a transparent manner.

Stakeholders in Jinja City are closely monitoring the process amid expectations for a competitive outcome in this key eastern Uganda urban centre. Further updates on specific results are expected as the tallying continues. 

Nine candidates contested for the Jinja South West Constituency seat, and these included: Moses Grace Balyeku (NRM), Namadu Lazarus (Ind), Ivan Isiko (Ind), Timothy Batuwa Lusala (NUP), Bernard Mbayo (FDC), Shamim Nangobi (DF), Paul Kawanguzi (PFF), Geoffrey Mutesa (Ind) and Daniel Kanu (Ind).

In Jinja South East constituency, contestants were seven, and these included Paul Mwiru (NUP), Musa Kabugo (FDC), Nathan Igeme Nabeta (Ind), Richard Mbaziira Balikudembe (NRM), Peter Muwanika (PFF), Andrew Ntale (DP), and Paul Mugaya Geraldson (Ind).

Eleven candidates contested for the Jinja City Woman MP seat and were: Manjeri Kyebakutika (Ind), Sarah Lwansasula (NUP), Annet Musika (NRM), Rose Kalembe (ANT), Zainah Nambi Wakeba (PFF), Juliet Kitibwa (Ind), Enid Petwa Nabukwasi (FDC), Alice Kagoya (Ind), Sabrina Lukalu (Ind), Florence Nasubo (Ind) and Margret Nakamate (DP).

In Jinja North Division, sixteen candidates contested and these included; Hussein Muyonjo aka Swengere (NUP), Isaac Imaka (Ind), Ronald Isiko (Ind), Swaibu Zirabamuzale (FDC), Geoffrey Kabugo (PFF), Ronald Kakooza Ndikabona (Ind), Moses Hannington Kyemba (DP), Muhamadi Bidondole (Ind), Nasser Tibenkana Guluddene (Ind), Mubashiru Gwaivu (JEEMA), Edwin Lufafa (NRM), Fred Ssegawa (CMP), John Banalya (Ind) and Godfrey Ssempebwa (EPU).

Jinja City has a total of 154,750 voters.