Elections of the Local Council three chairpersons and directly elected councilors and female councillors havebeen marred by heavy downpour in several sub-counties in Katakwi district.
Polling officers had taken shelter together with the voting materials under trees while Some polling stations located in churches and learning institutions were lucky to take shelter inside the buildings in their premises.
In Ongongoja Sub County, the rain started at around 10:50am and was still on by half past midday. Naboth Oduc the LC5 Councillor for Ongongoja sub-county said people were willing to vote but were blocked by rain.
There are three people contesting for LC3 Chairperson Ongongoja and they include; the NRM’sJohn Imalingat, Charles Modo (IND) and John Peter Omeke also Independent. The incumbent George Okitoi did not contest saying the two terms are enough for him.
“If the rain stops, I will win these elections but if it continues, I don’t know what will happen,” Modo said after casting his vote in Okocho primary school polling station by 9:30am.
In Okuliak polling station still in Ongongoja, people ran to take shelter in the classes. Despite the low turn up registered in Acanga polling station in Ngariam Sub County, the rain worsened the situation after it started raining from 9am and was still on by 11:00am.
The NRM’s John Francis Otude one of the LC3 candidates for Ngariam sub-county, who finished casting his vote at 9:48 moved in rain up to his polling station (Acanga).
Julius Otim (NRM) and the former LC3 chairperson Katakwi town council had to hurry to Baptist Church polling station to cast his vote at 11am. Immediately after casting his vote, the rain blocked him before reaching home.
The incumbent Ambrose Okwii (FDC) did his voting early morning before the rain started. Others vying for Chairperson Katakwi town council are; Zadok Akutu (Ind) James Koluo (IND), Joseph Morulem (IND) and Ojur Charles Apuda (UPC).
Meanwhile, the turn up of voters in most polling stations was low compared to the previous elections. Only 63 out of 176 had voted by 10:50am in Baptist church polling station.
“I expect over 100 to have voted by 4pm,” Simon Peter Imanut the presiding officer Baptist Church polling station in Katakwi Town Council said.
The turn up of voters in Apuuton primary school polling station was worse where only 17 out of 173 had voted by 10:20am.
“I wonder whether the number of voters will reach 50 people this time unlike the last elections where we received 63 total voters. The problem here is that most of the voters registered are working class and they take time doing their own work,” Betty Iumat the presiding officer of Apuuton P/S polling station said.
In Toroma Sub County, of the 718 registered voters in the sub county headquarters polling station, only 83 had voted by 10am.
Petua Amuge the presiding officer of this polling station said some voters are disappointed that their candidates lost in the previous elections and therefore there was no need to vote again.
Three people want to be elected as the sub county chairperson for Toroma after the incumbent, Silver Obetel went through as the district councilor representing the same Sub County. They include; Richard Opesen (IND), Ben Obwalinga (Ind) and Charles Otubeny Acen (IND).
Election was still going on amidst rain drizzles in Ariet primary school polling stations in Kapujan Sub County. “We shall run to the classes if the rain increases,” Michael Ediangu the presiding officer said at midday.
Kapujan Sub County had several people turning up in most of the polling stations. “Over 130 people have so far voted by 9:17am out of 743 registered voters in this polling station,” said Ediangu.
Michael Engeru the incumbent LC-3 Chairperson Kapujan sub county cast his vote at Kelim-Kapujan polling station at 8:16am.
Like in most polling stations election started in time even in Adodoi Primary school polling station still in the same sub county.
“We opened the polling station at 7am and so far 85 out of the 886 registered voters have voted by 8:30am,” the presiding officer Michael Otiira said.
Three people are struggling for the position of LC 3 Chairperson Kapujan Sub County and they include; the incumbent Michael Engeru (IND), Iremaut Michael Apule (IND) and the NRM’s Martin Okello (former LC 3 Chairperson).
