By Aggrey Baba
Yesterday’s concluded NRM party primaries in various constituencies across Kampala and parts of central Uganda have been rocked by accusations of voter bribery, missing names in registers, rigging, and low voter turnout, painting a grim picture of the ruling party’s internal democratic processes.
In Mpigi, Kamengo LC3 Chairperson Sam Akol dramatically withdrew from the Mawokota North race minutes before voting, citing bias, intimidation, and heavy military presence, urging that the entire process had been marred by irregularities.
Akol who had been contesting against veteran politician and former minister, Amelia Kyambadde, accused Security agencies and some senior party leaders of compromising the process.
His withdrawal has cast doubt on the credibility of the exercise in Mawokota North, prompting calls for intervention by the party chairman, YK Museveni and Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission head.
Similar concerns were raised in Kawempe with Hanifa Karadi, who lost to Faridah Nambi for the Kawempe North ticket, accusing her rival’s camp of engaging in election malpractice.
Karadi said there was blatant rigging and her voters were blocked from accessing polling stations, adding that she would file an official petition.
The situation was not any better in Nakawa East, where confusion marred the polling process. David Ssegirinya, a contender for the seat, failed to vote because his name did not appear at his expected polling station, Kitintale Zone 12.
Electoral officials later clarified he was registered at Zone 13, but by then, he had left the area in protest.
Low voter turnout was reported in Kayunga, especially at Nakyesa village in Bbaale County, where only 441 out of over 2,000 voters turned up.
Local leaders blamed the poor turnout on the open-voting system, which, according to them, deterred many supporters.
Despite the hiccups, the primaries continued, with some contests ending without incident. Musa Mbaziira defeated Derrick Lufunya in Rubaga South, with the latter conceding defeat honorably. In Nakawa West, former KCCA deputy RCC Herbert Burora triumphed over Margaret Zziwa and Mukesh Shukla.
Security deployment was heavy throughout the capital as party leaders anticipated tension.
However, apart from the irregularities reported, no major outbreaks of violence occurred, and with the 2026 general election looming, the credibility of the party primaries will be under scrutiny, especially if disgruntled candidates fail to rally behind the eventual flag bearers.
Observers warn that the unresolved grievances and infighting within NRM could weaken its efforts to reclaim Opposition-dominated Kampala constituencies.
