The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries, a pivotal step in selecting flagbearers for the 2026 general elections, were marred by widespread irregularities, low turnout, and claims of interference across various regions.
Reports from across the country painted a chaotic picture, with incidents of missing voter registers, absentee polling agents, rushed voting timelines, and unverified allegations of sabotage by the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).
Nansana: Rushed Voting, Allegations of Bribery
In Nansana Municipality, voting started sluggishly with few voters by 9:00 AM, but a surge of anxious supporters demanded early polling, prompting elections to begin and end by 11:30 AM—well before the NRM’s official 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM window.
Kyagulanyi Ali, one of eight parliamentary aspirants, alleged voter bribery, though he presented no evidence. Meanwhile, electoral officials including Kakooza Joseph, registrar for Kazo Muganzilwaza One, and Nansana Women’s League chairperson Nankya Dorothy, declared the process peaceful and orderly.
Nakawa West: Accusations and Scuffles
In Nakawa West, tensions ran high with accusations of interference by NUP members. Cyprus John Musirike, a supporter of ex-EALA Speaker Margaret Zziwa, alleged that NUP-aligned Local Defence personnel, led by Rosiko Ben, were bribing voters at Kalinabiri One polling station. He also accused Herbert Anderson Burora, another candidate, of orchestrating their presence to destabilize the process.
Musirike was later barred from filming inside the polling station and claimed he was denied a chance to vote. He left angrily, declaring the election unfair. Burora’s camp, led by Brian Komakech, dismissed the claims, branding Musirike a known disruptor with a volatile temperament.
Amidst the tension, some youth—many appearing intoxicated—engaged in arguments and confusion. Some believed local council elections were also taking place. Others were caught moving from one polling station to another, voting multiple times, such as youth who moved from Kigowa to Kalinabiri on boda bodas.
Musirike reportedly attempted to vote despite not being registered in the area. Security forces, including UPDF soldiers led by ASP Musinguzi, intervened to restore calm before voting resumed.
Moroto and Rubaga: Missing Agents, Skewed Results
In Moroto’s Lotisan Sub-County, the absence of candidate agents derailed the process. Presiding Officer Joseph Lochoro noted that aspirants without agents or posters got zero votes—stones and chairs were used to represent them. Low turnout was blamed on farming activities and duplicate names in registers.
Similarly, in Rubaga North, polling stations such as Mengo Town Zone saw only Lukanga Amina’s agent present, resulting in her sweeping all votes in the Woman MP race. For parliamentary seats, only Katongole Singh and Timothy Ndiwalana had agents, leading to unbalanced outcomes.
Kampala Battles: Women MP Contests and Register Disputes
Kampala saw fiercely contested Women MP races. In Kyebando Central, Hanifah Kaladi beat Faridah Nambi 260–38. But in Kawempe Mbogo, Nambi overturned the result with a 275–21 victory. A dispute over registers briefly disrupted voting in Kyebando, though police helped restore order. Even volatile zones like Kawempe North’s Corner Zone remained peaceful under tight police presence.
Jinja South West: Voter Ferrying, Bribery Allegations
Jinja South West constituency saw voting proceed without verifying voter registers. Candidates Moses Balyeku, Erick Sakwa, Daniel Kanu, and David Talenga faced off as supporters moved freely across polling stations like Nalufenya A & B, Kakindu, and Rippon Gardens.
Sakwa and Talenga accused Balyeku of importing non-resident voters from Buikwe and Iganga, ignoring voter verification protocols. Talenga also cited incidents of voter bribery and violence.
John Mark from Kanu’s team claimed security and polling officers were complicit, pointing to an incident where a presiding officer was escorted away in a vehicle near Jinja CPS.
Balyeku denied the accusations, attributing his support to his development record. Polling officer Brian Mukisa insisted all voters were locals, and Deputy RCC Martin Kasonzi rated the exercise 65–70% free and fair.
Rubanda East: Voting Halted Over Missing Names
In Rubanda East, several polling stations including Rwere Primary School saw delays after voters protested missing names in the register.
Protesters, led by Barnet Rukundo and Martin Hawoyeha, accused polling officials of manipulating the register to favor Minister Henry Musasizi over his rival Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema.
At nearby Rusikizi polling station, similar issues were reported. Jogo accused officials of disenfranchising his supporters and called for calm as he awaited intervention from NRM Electoral Commission Chair Dr. Tanga Odoi.
Nakaseke: Chaos and Register Disputes
In Nabisojjo village, Nakaseke District, chaos erupted after the LC1 Chairperson, Andrew Luzige, confiscated the register, claiming it listed non-residents. In Mijuma village, Wakyato Sub-County, unknown youths attempted to vote, sparking protests from locals who alleged voter importation.
Kabuye Kyofa, State Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs and a candidate for Nakaseke Central, confirmed that police were called in to calm tensions before voting resumed. At Maranatha polling station, another candidate, Sophie Kaikara, halted voting over missing names on the register.
Luwero: Underage Voting, Delays, and Missing Officials
In Luwero District, Lukomera Primary School became a flashpoint after voters protested against the eligibility of underage students from Wobulenzi Academy who turned up to vote. Polling officials, led by Winnie Nansukusa, maintained that they were registered and therefore eligible.
Resident District Commissioner Richard Bwabye intervened to restore order.
At Makulubita Sub-County, voting had not yet started by 1 PM due to the absence of polling officials. In Katikamu North, supporters of MP hopeful Ronald Ndawula reported that their names were missing from the register and they were unable to vote.
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