National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Paddy Kisembo has been elected the new LCV Chairperson of Kikuube District following a closely contested by-election held on Thursday.
According to official results announced by Kikuube District Returning Officer Emmanuel Twine at around 9:30 p.m. at the district headquarters in Kisambo Cell, Kikuube Town Council, Kisembo secured a decisive victory with 26,612 votes.
His closest challenger, Fenekansi Timanyire of the National Unity Platform (NUP), garnered 8,172 votes. A total of 578 ballots were declared invalid, while 74 ballot papers were spoiled. Overall, 36,211 votes were counted from all 330 polling stations across the district.
Despite the largely peaceful conduct of the election, voter turnout remained low in several parts of the district.
Some residents expressed concern that although they regularly participate in elections, their preferred candidates are often not declared winners, a perception they say discourages wider voter participation.
According to the Electoral Commission, Kikuube District has 153,186 registered voters, comprising 77,529 women and 75,657 men. However, only 36,211 voters cast their ballots, representing a relatively low turnout.
During the voting process, tensions briefly flared in some polling areas after supporters of the National Unity Platform accused NRM supporters of electoral malpractice. The disagreements escalated into minor scuffles before security personnel intervened and restored calm.
The by-election was conducted following the death of former District LCV Chairperson Peter Banura Akiki, who was knocked down by a speeding taxi on April 4, shortly after being elected to office.
Kisembo’s victory returns the district leadership to the NRM, with attention now shifting to governance, service delivery, and implementation of development programmes in Kikuube District.
