Minister Kamya Urges Kampala Residents On Voter Registration

With just days to the close of the national voters’ register in preparation for the 2021 general elections, as set by the Electoral Commission, the Minister for Kampala Beti Kamya has called on Kampala residents to embrace the exercise and change voting locations where necessary to avoid low voter turn up as registered in the previous election of 2016.

“I am speaking particularly to the people who work and reside in Kampala, please do not miss this chance in making your decision of how we want this city to be administered. In the last elections we had a registered record of 1.3 million voters, but only about 500,000 turned up to vote which means that 800,000 people did not turn up to vote,” she said.

The minister, citing research, said most of those that didn’t show up were people from the informal sector.

“Those working in the markets, the taxi drivers, those who have shops in the arcades. In short, those who earn their living on a day to day basis. I want to inform them and call upon them to remember that the reason they are able to work comfortably is because there is peace,” She said.

Kamya mentioned that many of the above people are registered voters in other parts of the country, but they live and work in the Kampala and when voting day comes, they don’t have the time or the money to go and vote in their respective polling stations.

“I would like to encourage them to change their registration. Please ensure that you make yourself eligible to vote where your interests are most protected; as voters who earn income in Kampala and as decision makers of who is going to govern this City.”

Kamya on the other hand expressed optimism that this new Electoral Commission under Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama will be more efficient, and that this election will be handled more efficiently.

“That is my hope. Therefore, no matter the inconveniences, I think that you should make the small sacrifice and be part of the decision makers.”