By Okello E. Moses,
KAMPALA
The Democratic Party (DP) has raised concerns over significant irregularities in the ongoing voter registration exercise, warning that if left unaddressed, many Ugandans could be disenfranchised.
Speaking at a DP press briefing on February 4, 2025, at the party’s headquarters on Balintuma Road in Kampala, Deogratias Njoki—a DP voter from Busia District in eastern Uganda—highlighted the inconsistencies he encountered in the registration process.
Njoki explained that when he checked his voter registration details online on January 12, 2025, they were accurate, correctly reflecting his village, Businywa, and polling station, Businywa Primary School—where he has always voted. However, when he verified his details again on February 3, 2025, he was shocked to find that he had been transferred to Buhauli Central polling station at Nasweswe Primary School in Buhobe Parish without his consent.
Despite writing to the district electoral commission seeking clarification, he has yet to receive a satisfactory response.
Njoki warned that what is happening in Busia could be a reflection of a nationwide issue, calling on the Electoral Commission to urgently address these discrepancies. He also alleged that the registration process is plagued by nepotism, questioning the competence of those handling the exercise. According to him, an entire gombolola (sub-county) is being managed by members of a single family.
Additionally, Njoki revealed that several of his village mates from Bulumbi and Businywa were shocked to discover that their names had been marked as “verified” in the registration system—despite never having undergone the verification process.
He urged voters not only to check their own registration details but also to cross-check for any discrepancies affecting others, warning that some may find their names listed at polling stations far from where they usually vote.
Njoki called on the Electoral Commission to urgently correct these anomalies before the voter registration update exercise concludes on February 10, 2025.
