Political Analyst Joseph Pintyek Ochieno, has strongly criticized the planned use of the lining-up voting method for the forthcoming Local Council (LC1 and LC2) elections, describing it as “intimidatory, colonial, and unacceptable in a modern multiparty democracy.”

Speaking during an exclusive interview with NBS Television on Wednesday, Ochieno, a staunch member of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), raised concerns about the credibility, transparency, and cost of the elections scheduled to take place between March and April across more than 70,000 villages nationwide.

Ochieno questioned the allocation of Shs56.9 billion for the elections, arguing that the funds could be better utilized to strengthen grassroots democratic processes.

“What is Shs56.9 billion for a few people in government who exploit public resources? If properly distributed, even Shs100 million allocated across several parishes could make a meaningful difference in organizing free and fair elections,” he said.

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According to the Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi; the LC1, LC2, and Women Council elections will be conducted using the lining-up method, where voters queue behind candidates instead of casting secret ballots. However, the exact polling dates have yet to be announced.

Ochieno strongly opposed the lining-up system, stating that it fosters intimidation, division, and fear among voters.

“The lining-up process is causing chaos, hate, and intimidation. It must be stopped. In the current political climate, asking villagers to publicly line up behind candidates is unacceptable,” he said.

Ochieno argued that organizing secret ballot elections at the village level does not require complex technology or expensive equipment.

“You do not need magic machines or sophisticated ballot papers. Even simple printed papers from local primary schools can facilitate a free and democratic process,” he said.

Ochieno further suggested that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) may fear the outcome of a genuinely competitive multiparty contest at the grassroots level.

“Could it be that our counterparts are worried that in a free election, candidates from other political parties would prevail?” he said.

Ochieno emphasized that the LC1 structure represents the foundation of Uganda’s governance system, describing it as the “lowest but most important unit” of local administration.

Ochieno noted that the LC1 framework was initially conceptualised during UPC’s tenure but was not fully implemented at the time.

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“The grassroots unit is where governance begins. It is where questions of service delivery and local administration are most directly felt. That is precisely why it must be credible,” he said.

Ochieno also urged Parliament and the Ministry of Local Government to amend any legal provisions necessary to ensure a transparent voting process, arguing that legislative reform does not require extraordinary measures.

Earlier on Wednesday, the President of the Uganda People’s Congress, Jimmy Akena Obote, addressed the media and echoed similar concerns. Akena affirmed that UPC would participate in the upcoming LC1 and LC2 elections but stressed the need for transparency and fairness.

Akena warned that Uganda’s democratic space appears to be shrinking, citing reported restrictions on political activities, including community meetings and prayers in certain areas.

Akena further called upon the Electoral Commission to guarantee that all voting systems, including BVVK machines where applicable, function properly to prevent irregularities.

As Uganda prepares for the LC1 and LC2 elections, political stakeholders continue to debate the appropriateness of the lining-up voting method in a multiparty context. With over 70,000 villages across the nation set to participate, the conduct of these elections is expected to significantly shape grassroots governance and the broader democratic landscape.

“Grassroots democracy must be protected. The people at the village level deserve a voting process that is free, fair, and conducted by secret ballot,” he said.