By Aggrey Baba
Fresh cracks have emerged inside the NRM following Thursday’s party primary elections, as several ministers and Members of Parliament (both veterans and newcomers) are accusing the party of mismanaging its own internal elections whi h saw a number of seasoned and respected leaders miserably lose their seats.
While some candidates graciously conceded defeat, others openly alleged vote rigging, intimidation, and manipulation of the tallying process, raising serious concerns about the credibility of the party’s grassroots democratic process.
In Bugweri District, former Woman MP aspirant Rachael Magoola did not mince words. “The election process was hijacked by money and people in power. If what happened here reflects how the party holds primaries, then these elections need to be scrapped. It’s not the people voting; it’s whoever controls the pen,” she said.
Obiga Kania, the State Minister for Urban Development, who lost his bid for Terego East County, blamed opposition infiltration, saying tje elections were supposed to be NRM’s, but the Opposition hijacked them from the campaigns to the tally room. “They even chose our candidates,” he claimed.
Victoria Rusoke Businge, the State Minister for Local Government, who lost the Kabarole Woman MP flag, said propaganda and bribery swayed voters, saying that people were told she has three salaries as MP, minister and NRM chairperson, the kind of propaganda, which, along with handouts from my rivals, affected voters’ decisions. Despite her loss, Rusoke pledged to continue serving until 2026 and blamed lack of civic education among voters.
In Bukonzo West, Information Minister Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku also bowed out after losing to Dr. Chris Kiyonga, but with hints of discomfort.
“I don’t know the actual results, but Dr. Kiyonga won. I will support him, though there were many irregularities,” he said.
In Amuria County, State Minister for Works Francis Musa Ecweru lost to newcomer Samuel Ediau by over 9,000 votes. Ecweru, while conceding, expressed quiet frustration, saying he may know that things went wrong, but pushing against it may not help the harmony of the party.
Other ministers like Rose Lilly Akello (Ethics and Integrity), Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu (Primary Education), and MP Henry Kibalya also disputed the process, some saying results were released before proper tallying, and others vowing to wait until final decisions are made.
“I cannot comment now. Let’s wait and see,” said Kibalya, who lost the Bugabula County South flag.
Even in Lwengo’s Bukoto South, where controversial sitting MP Twaha Kagabo lost to former MP Haji Muyanja Mbabali, he called for calm but admitted some of his supporters were heartbroken and needed reassurance.
“I will not run as an independent. My job now is to return to my voters and explain that I accept the results,” Kagabo said.
However, many losing candidates pointed fingers at district party leaders, election registrars, and security officials, accusing them of openly siding with certain candidates and tampering with voter lists and tallies.
