{UAH} Local observers: what went wrong?

He said most polling stations in Kansanga opened as late as 3pm. The polling station at Kawempe Mbogo Muslim primary school had no voting materials by 1pm.

"At Bugema trading centre, Katale, Nalumunye PS, Nabweru Church of Uganda and Nansana Church of Uganda, voting started at 2pm," he added.

Sewanyana said voting was called off at Kyebando Umea polling station amid heavy deployment of army and police. 

He also noted that in the western district of Kiruhura at Kinoni sub-county, there were lots of pre-ticked ballot papers in favour of NRM, which were given to voters and forced to stuff them in ballot boxes. However, he said, some voters decided to double tick the ballot papers to invalidate them.

"At Hapiba polling station II, Kanyaryeru sub-county, voters were forced to vote using pre-ticked ballot papers," Sewanyana said.

He said at Molly and Paul polling station in Makindye division in Kampala, one Moses Watuwa delivered a ballot box full of pre-ticked ballot papers in favour of candidate Yoweri Museveni. He was arrested by voters but he shot his way out. He was later arrested by Katwe police.

Sewanyana said that at St Bruno polling station A-M, Mbuya, voters got rowdy, angry at delays in the delivery of polling materials. The polling station was closed and put under police control.

At Kajjansi B polling station in Wakiso district, he said the polling station was closed after three boxes with pre-ticked ballots of candidates Yoweri Museveni and candidate Peter Ssematimba were found in a vehicle Reg. No. UAN 522H. 

Sewanyana said many stuffed ballot boxes were found with the NRM chairperson of Katabi zone at Kitala polling station, who is now under arrest. 

At Kihanga playground primary school, Rwamucucu sub-county in Kabale, the presiding officer, one Justus Twesigye, was found with pre-ticked ballot papers in favour of the incumbent. 

In Kikoni II primary school in Ntungamo, FDC supporters were beaten by security operatives in police uniforms, Sewanyana said.  At Kabojja coffee factory in Wakiso, materials delayed to arrive and the biometric machines failed to work. Voting materials arrived late and voting started at 2pm.  

Local observers: what went wrong? 

Sincerely,

Brian M. Kwesiga