Lukwago Decries Low Voter Turnout, Questions Abandonment of BVVK Machines

The incumbent Kampala Lord Mayor and mayoral candidate has voiced concern over what he described as the lowest voter turnout he has witnessed in his lifetime, attributing the situation to growing voter apathy, public frustration, and widespread despondency among the electorate.

The Lord Mayor made the remarks this morning shortly after casting his ballot at Wakaligga Polling Station, where he observed that many polling centres across the city had few voters turning up to participate in the exercise.

According to the mayor, the thin crowds at polling stations signal a deeper crisis of confidence in the electoral process, with many citizens feeling disconnected from leadership and disillusioned by unmet expectations.

“What we are seeing today is very worrying,” he said. “The turnout is extremely low, and this reflects the level of frustration and hopelessness among voters. Many people no longer believe that their vote can bring about meaningful change.”

He also raised concerns over the apparent abandonment of the Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVK), which were introduced to authenticate voters and verify ballot papers during elections.

“Today, they have totally abandoned the use of BVVK machines without any explanation,” the mayor noted. “This raises serious questions about how ballot papers are being authenticated when the process is relying solely on the national voter register.”

The mayor warned that failure to clearly explain changes in electoral procedures could further erode public trust in the voting process and undermine the credibility of the election.

Despite the challenges, he encouraged eligible voters to turn up and exercise their democratic right, stressing that participation remains critical in shaping the leadership and future of the city.

Electoral authorities are yet to issue a formal explanation regarding the limited use of BVVK machines or respond to concerns about voter turnout across Kampala.