Uganda: Calm still remains after Uganda elections
By Katongole Kiwanuka – Voters in most parts of Kampala have turned out at the presidential and parliamentary polls on Friday in larger numbers than in past elections, according to the chairperson of the Electoral commission, Eng. Badru Kiggundu.
The voter turnout at today’s polls may even be higher than the turnout for the 2006 presidential elections, according to other election observers and analysts in Kampala.
“The turnout has been good so far in most parts of the country,” Kiggundu said while visiting polling stations in Nakawa division (Kampala).
People have expressed more interest in voting this morning. The voting in most parts of the country started at 7:00pm.
Most polling stations in Kampala have lines of over 100 voters. There is reported calm in most areas with negligible cases of violence, rigging and intimidation.
Some hiccups are reported in Kampala district where opposition supporters have reportedly been arrested by police. Councillor John Katabu of Kisenyi Parish in Kampala says he and other Democratic Party cadres in the area are urging police to release their members arrested.
Police deployment remains visible at most polling stations. Judith Nabakooba, the spokesperson of Uganda police, says police are ready to curb election violence.
In a related development, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, Norbert Mao has said he is willing to accept defeat if he loses the election.
While speaking from Gulu district in the morning, Mao however remarked that he would not accept defeat if the poll is rigged. President Museveni was yet to vote his choice by midday.
