FDC Vice President Proscovia Salaamu Musumba yesterday appeared headed for victory in the race for Kamuli district LCV chairperson.

Early results showed that Musumba, had trounced NRM's Thomas Kategere by big margins. In Kamuli Town Council, provisional results gave Musumba 2,849 votes, against Kategere's 622. In Namasagali sub county, Musumba had provisionally garnered 2,447, against 1,514 for Kategere. Musumba was also leading in Bulopa sub county, with 2,812 votes against Kategere's 800.

Despite heavy police deployment in the district, most people gathered at polling stations at the end of voting at 5pm to witness the counting process and guard against any electoral malpractices. Earlier, Musumba had walked 2kms with her supporters to Namwendwa Catholic Parish, where she voted, before assuring voters that she was confident of a win this time.

"This is a salvation crusade, people have hope in me and that is a big statement that they have made," she said.

She later joined the team of opposition political activists patrolling the district to ensure calm. In a rare spirit of comradeship, Musumba promised to work with NRM for the good of Kamuli. NRM's Thomas Kategere re-echoed the same spirit, after casting his vote at Nakimegere in Naminage.

He pledged to work with Musumba if he lost: "In case of any surprise through a free and fair election, I will concede defeat..... Kamuli is my district, I have never been a leader here but I have been working with leaders, so there is nothing that stops me from working with other people when they take over leadership, but I also request that when I win, they should be prepared to work with me"

There were reports of heavy tension in Bugulumbya and Buwanume with unusual faces barred from traveling through. Police spokesperson Vincent Ssekate explained that, "there are some people who are moving on motorcycles, harassing people in Bugulumbya and Buwanume and so far four people have been arrested and police is still doing its work to restore calm,"

By press time, Musumba's camp was preparing for a big party, while many of his rivals had retreated to their homes to wait for the final announcement of the results - but with only mathematical hope.