NRM polls called off in Sembabule amid chaos as party big shots in other districts sail through unopposed

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) internal structure elections at the strict level in Sembabule District were abruptly called off following clashes between supporters of rivals on Friday, May 23.

The party district chairperson is the hottest position with State Minister Anifa  Kawooya and retired army officer Gen  Phenihas Katirima seeking to replace former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa, who retired.
Despite a heavy security deployment intended to maintain calm, tensions escalated when Minister Kawooya accused Sembabule District Police Commander (DPC) Living Twazagye of physically assaulting her during the chaos
The confrontation erupted after police blocked supporters from accessing the polling venue. However, the crowd later overwhelmed security and stormed the grounds, leading to open hostilities.

Earlier in the day, Kawooya and her challenger, Katirima were seen exchanging polite greetings, but the mood quickly soured. In an emotional plea, Kawooya begged to retain her position as NRM chairperson, likening the party to her “baby,” noting that she had no biological children of her own. Katirima, however, accused her of clinging to power for over four decades and said it was time for change.
“If I lose, I will not concede defeat,” Kawooya declared defiantly, underscoring the high stakes and deep divisions within the party.

As tensions escalated, NRM Electoral Commission Commissioner (Rtd) Maj James Kinobe contacted party chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi who recommended suspending the election. However, retired army officers, including (Rtd) Brig.  Emmanuel Rwashande and Katirima, resisted the move, accusing the commission of bias and undue influence.
The election dispute prompted officials to re-examine the voter register, further deepening mistrust. Kawooya and Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo dismissed the process as fundamentally flawed and unworthy of continuation.

Meanwhile, Gen .Katirima rallied his supporters, who formed queues and sang songs in his praise, signaling their readiness to proceed with the vote.
Kawooya later claimed she needed medical attention for injuries allegedly sustained during the earlier scuffle with the District Police Commander. Despite Kinobe’s efforts to persuade her to remain at the venue, she left, escorted by cheering supporters.

In another dramatic moment, Ssekikubo and his group confronted the party Deputy District Registrar Patrick Odong, whom they accused of attempting to seize the voter register. Security personnel intervened, pushing back the group. A visibly frustrated Odong stood his ground, shouting down the protestors and asserting his authority.
With tensions boiling over, Kinobe exited the scene, effectively ending the day’s proceedings unceremoniously.
Later, Brig.  Rwashande and Gen Katirima addressed supporters, vowing to defend the integrity of the electoral process and the rights of voters in Sembabule.
“Nothing will drive us away. We are committed to protecting voters’ rights,” said Brig. Rwashande.
“We are standing under the law. Our people must be allowed to vote peacefully,” added Gen. Katirima.
Katakwi District.

 The Vice President Rtd Maj .Jessica Alupo   emerged unopposed as the chairperson for the veterans’   league for Katakwi District for the second term running.
In   her acceptance speech called for calm in the NRM party structure elections.
“It is one family, the election where voters line up behind their preferred candidate   is transparent, it is easy to know the outcome,” Ms Alupo said
Rtd Maj Joseph Ocar, also emerged unopposed as the vice chairperson for Katakwi veterans league, George William Ariko, elected unopposed as secretary and Basil Amodoi as the treasurer.

Mr John Robert Okiror was elected as the NRM district chairperson after garnering 335 votes against John Bosco Aliabu who garnered 310 votes.
Mr Raymond Odeke, was elected as the vice chairperson with 367 votes against Violet Akurut who garnered  170 votes.
Bukedea District  :
 Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Annet Among, sailed   unopposed as the NRM  District Chairperson of the Women’s League for Bukedea.

village, parish, sub-county, and district-level structures electing leaders for various party leagues, including the Main, Women, Youth, Elders, and PWDs (Persons with Disabilities) leagues.
Speaking to supporters shortly after her election  Among emphasised the importance of women’s participation in leadership
“This is a call to serve, and I’m committed to using this platform to empower women, strengthen party structures, and promote development in Bukedea and beyond,” she said.
The ‘kingmakers’ in Ankole take it in NRM district primary pools.

In Ntungamo District, the First Lady, also Minister for Education,  Ms Janet Museveni, won the party district chairperson seat unopposed, and Ntungamo Municipality Member of Parliament Mr Yona Musinguzi became her vice chairperson.
In Rukungiri District Rtd Gen Jim Muhwezi was elected the  district party chairperson after his anticipated competitor Rtd Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde  pulled out at the eleventh hour.

In Bushenyi District ,Mr Hassan Basajabalaba won the party district chairperson seat unopposed while the Bushenyi district woman MP Ms Annet Katusiime became the vice chairperson while  Igara East legislator Mr  Michael Mawanda won the seat for the district general secretary.
The NRM electoral process at the district  was  largely peaceful, although some delays were  reported  in some districts due to logistical challenges.

In Ibanda District, Ms Jovline Kalisa Kyomukama, the national coordinator for Parish Development Model (PDM) won the seat for district chairperson. 
Prominent figures win in Busoga Sub region
 Ms Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister, was elected unopposed as the Kamuli District Women's League chairperson.

“Thanks for the renewed trust and mandate, I assure  all Ugandans that I am fully going to retain my position as first National Vice Chairperson Female,’’ Ms  Kadaga said after her victory.
In Buyende District, Ms Milly Babalanda, the Minister of Presidency, won the Women's League chairperson seat, defeating Bernadette Kumuidira with 57 votes against the latter’s 12 votes.

“I am indebted to you people of Buyende for this trust. Let us ensure that our party is held high and straight away get to mobilize for Mzee[President Museveni] ,’’ she  said
Ms Hashim Magogo, the Budiope East legislator and also president of  Federation of Football Association (FUFA) , secured the Buyende District NRM chairperson seat, defeating  Mr Geoffrey Dhamuzungu with 344 votes to 168.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted during the NRM elections in Bugiri, with supporters storming the gates and police firing bullets in the air to disperse the crowd.

Meanwhile, in Bugiri, police arrested Abdullah Kutega, the vice chairperson of Busanzi A in Bugiri Municipality, for allegedly biting Ms Jesca Naikoba, the wife of candidate and incumbent NRM district chairperson  Mr Stephen Mutumba. Ms Naikoba was rushed to Bugiri Hospital in critical condition following the incident.
Despite the disruptions, Mr Solomon Silwany, the Commissioner of Parliament and Bukooli Central MP, was declared the winner with 438 votes, beating Mr  Mutumba who gathered  299 votes.

“We shall work towards unity to ensure collective efforts during the general elections,’’ he said .
However, Mr Mutumba disputed the election outcome, saying the exercise was not free and fair , promising to challenge it in courts of law .
In Jinja , Moses Batwala was elected as the party  district chairperson while Mr Aggrey Bajiire, the former  State Minister for Transport, won the party district chairperson position in Mayuge, and Mr Abubaker Walubi won Iganga District.

In Luuka, Mr Stephen Kisa, the Luuka South legislator  won the district NRM chairperson seat, while Ms Annet Nabirye, an aspirant for the Luuka Woman parliamentary seat, emerged victorious in the women's league.
Other winners include; Mr Sadiki Shaban Nkuutu in Bugweri District  and Mr Raymond Mukisa in Namayingo District .
Soroti District :
The former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)  chairperson Mr John Enomu  won Soroti city NRM party chairperson's seat amidst protests.

 He had contested against three other candidates.
 Among them included the incumbent Mr Willy Bisanga,  the former NRM flag bearer and candidate for Soroti City East mayoral position ,Mr Abdul Latif and the chairperson Soroti City NRM committee Cadres Association Mr Anthony Ebunyu. 
Both Mr Latif and Mr Egunyu succumbed to pressure mounted by a section of delegates and stepped down in favour of Mr Enomu ,but Mr Bisanga stood his  ground insisting  that his consent was not sought. 
 In a controversial election exercise conducted  at Teso College Aloet  where Mr Enomu polled 48 votes and Mr Bisanga who boycotted the exercise garnered  six votes only.

 In West Nile , Mr David Agbara, was elected NRM chairperson for Madi-Okollo District , while  Mr Ronald Ozinda and  Grace Thorac Machakadho emerged as winners in Pakwach District and  Zombo District .
 In the central region district of Lyantonde , Ms Deborah Rwabogo who is eying  the district Woman Parliamentary seat  defeated Eria Ssewandigi to take the party district chairperson position while in the neighbouring  Kyotera District , state Minister for Micro Finance ,Mr Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo sailed through unopposed as district party chairperson deputized by former Kakuuto County legislator  Mr Christopher Kalemba.

In Mukono District , the incumbent party district chairperson  Hajji Twahir Ssebaggala  withdrew his candidature accusing his deputy Hajji Harunah Ssemakula of plotting to rig him out .
‎He accused the party district returning officer,Mr  Benon Ssekanyo of having  allowed members  whose names were not in the register to participate in the election which is against the party electoral guidelines  .
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‎"I have witnessed the highest level of impunity and the party should think about appointing a new returning officer for Mukono because the current one participates openly in electoral fraud  which is against the law" Ssebaggala complained
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‎He promised to lodge a formal complaint with the party Electoral Commission chairperson Mr Tanga Odoi .
Despite Ssebaggala’s protest , Mr  Ssekanyo went ahead and declared  Ssemakula the new district NRM party chairperson .
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‎"It is in my mandate to declare Hajji Ssemakula the new chairperson elect because his competitor has withdrawn his candidature calling this national exercise unlawful and that cannot hold us back" he  announced  amid tight security from police, army other security agencies.
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‎In Mubende District, the party members were left confused after   Kasambya County legislator  David Kabanda ordered the cancellation of the election of district NRM general secretary, citing ineligible voters taking part in the exercise . Consequently, the election exercise was abruptly halted, with the registrar announcing that another date will be announced.But before this , members witnessed the dramatic arrest of Kasese Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Richard Nsenga after being accused of  engaging in electoral malpractices. It is alleged that Nsenga, in connivance with  Mubende District Chairperson Michael Muhereza, took youths at a local hotel with the promise of monetary inducements. However, the situation reportedly soured when the youths, after receiving the money, turned against the duo in a bid to obstruct the electoral process.

Amidst all this , Thomas Ainebyona emerged as the newly elected district NRM chairperson for Mubende,  after his closest challenger, Patrick Abaho , withdrew from the race.
 In Masaka , Mr Herman Muwulya sailed through unopposed as district party chairperson  after his opponent  Richard Kimera pulled out of the race .
Andrew Mukiibi , one of  Mr Kimera’ s supporters said their candidate quit the race after sensing that there was widespread voter bribery.

 “We are worried about how next year’s   general election is going to  be; we have not voted. Voters  were given money openly while lining up  and some did not even show up at the polling station,” he said
However, Ms Nabir Kibirige who is the NRM district registrar, said that the exercise was free and fair though some voters did not show up.

In Kalungu District, the state Minister for Water Ms Aisha Sekindi took part in the exercise to elect party district leaders despite her vowing not seek the party ticket to defend the district woman parliamentary seat citing ghost voters in the register . The incumbent district NRM chairperson Hajj Twaha Kiganda Ssonko retained his seat after emerging unopposed while in Lwengo ,the district Woman legislator, Cissy Namujju was elected the district party chairperson. In Bukomansimbi , the incumbent NRM chairperson, Mr Shafiq Mwanje also retained  his seat .In Rakai , Buyamba County legislator Gyaviira Ssemwanga defeated the incumbent NRM district chairperson Benon Mugabi.

In Masaka City , the Patriotic League of Uganda coordinator ,Rogers Bulegeya defeated businessman and Kimaanya –Kabonera Municipality parliamentary contender Robert Asiimwe .
In Wakiso District, the incumbent party chairperson Abdul Kiyimba was defeated by Moses Mayanja .
In the neigbouring Mpigi District   ,Sulaiman Kaweesi,won the election after gathering 247 votes ,defeating three other opponents Aloysius Luwangwa ,Hood Nagamba and Grace Nabukenya.

In Rubanda District ,the state minister for finance ( general duties) Henry Musasizi won the race after gathering 503 votes while his closest opponent Diaz Drake Owoyesigire got 43 votes .
Peter Logwee, emerged as the winner for Moroto NRM chairperson seat with 204 votes defeating Robert Akiki Adupa who gathered 174 votes.
In Terego District , state minister for urban development Obiga Kania retained the district party chairperson seat after trouncing Terego District Woman legislator Rose Obiga.

In Luuka District , Annet Nabirye replaced ex-minister for Presidency Esther Mbayo as the district NRM Women’s League chairperson .She collected 48 votes while Fidah Namuwaya ,who was backed by Mbayo ,gathered only 10 votes .
In Kasese District  , Dr Crispus Kiyonga , the Makerere University chancellor was defeated by former ambassador  James Mbahimba who got 984 votes against Kiyonga’s 519 votes while Festo Kajura received only four votes .
In Butambala, Herbert Mugarura emerged the winner after gathering 152 votes  while his closest competitor Umaru Kangave got 64 votes . Former Butambala County MP Faisal Kikulukunyu ,the incumbent NRM chairperson didn’t seek re-election.

In Lira District   , the Lira City Woman District legislator Dr Ruth Aceng ,who is also Health Minister , won the party district chairperson  race .She vowed to ensure that NRM wins overwhelmingly  in next year’s general elections .
In  Sironko District , former minister for Presidency Beatrice Wabudeya went through unopposed .
In Kayunga  District , two long time archrivals ,Moses Karangwa ,the incumbent NRM chairperson and former state Minister for Lands Adah Nantaba contested and the former emerged the winner with 415 votes while the latter got 37 votes.

In Kabale District  :
The state minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Mr David Bahati, retained his district NRM party chairman’s seat after polling 528 votes defeating his only contender Mr Andrew Baryayanga that polled 48 votes.

 In Kanungu District  Mr Tumwesimiire Caleb Kipande was elected as the new NRM Mainstream Chairperson for Kanungu District following the party’s internal elections held today at the district headquarters in Kanungu Town Council.
Kipande emerged victorious after polling 508 votes against other contenders including . Charles Bamuhata who got 57 votes and Godfrey Karabenda-the incumbent whose voters refused to be counted after sensing that kipande had won. Earlier Retired RDC captain Peter Mugisha withdrew from the race.

 Kisoro District :
The former state minister for regional cooperation Dr Philemon Mateke  won the NRM district NRM chairperson elections, held at Shaaza playground in Kisoro Municipality. Mujyambere Tadeo, NRM registrar, declared Mateke the winner after he garnered 689 votes, while Twinamasiko Gilbert scored 129 votes.
"Elections are part of democracy introduced by the NRM government for citizens to choose leaders of their choice," Mateke said, thanking voters. He promised to visit each sub-county to thank voters.

Meanwhile, the Bufumira North  Member of Parliament in Kisoro district Mr Nizeyimana John Kamara, withdrew from the NRM vice chairperson race at last hour, marking his second withdrawal from the elections. Previously, he had withdrawn from contesting for the NRM chairperson position before opting to run for vice chairperson. He cited his withdraw to foster for unity among leaders.
The Tororo Municipality Member of Parliament, Yeri Apollo Ofwono has been re-elected NRM    party chairperson for Tororo District.

He was elected amidst tension among the voters from both sides in the election held at Rock View School grounds, causing deployment of both police and UPDF to contain the crowd.
According to the district NRM party registrar Joseph Kadokech, they called for security deployment to restrain nonvoters who wanted to force themselves in to disorganise the elections.

"You can imagine that some of the people whose names were not in the register were forcing themselves into the voting grounds but to curtail this we had to liaise with the office of the resident district commissioner who ordered for deployment and that is how we managed" he said.
Equally,  the minister of Defense and veterans affairs Jacob Oboth Oboth was elected secretary finance while the former Ugandan Ambassador to Kenya Phibby Otala Awere was elected the district vice chairperson. 

In Budaka District :
Eng Musa Kyebene went through unopposed as the new vice chairperson Abigairi Kanyago polled 451 votes against Mr Abdallah Musimda, who polled 125 votes.
In Butebo District. Ms Monica Musenero,the minister for science innovation and technology won after polling 300votes against Mr Richard Mugoda who polled only 292 votes while in Pallisa District, r Derrick Orone the MP for Gogonyo County won with 453votes against Mr Jacob Opolot who polled 259votes while in Kibuku District, Mr Sharif Ssebakaki won by polling 586votes against Mr Moses Mboizi who polled 21votes and Ms Anna Mughono polled 74votes.
The NRM is currently   conducting nationwide internal elections to fill leadership positions from the village to district/city levels, a crucial exercise aimed at strengthening the party’s mobilisation structures ahead of   next year’s general elections. The party grassroots elections kicked off on May 6 with members electing their village leaders before proceeding to parish, sub county , and municipal levels.  However, in some areas, the elections have been marred by violence, leading to the death of three people and cancellation of results. These disputes in several areas have already raised concerns over transparency and internal democracy within the party. On July 16, party members will be electing   party parliamentary flag bearers.

Compiled by Al-Mahdi Ssenkabirwa , Rajab Mukombozi , Jovita Kyarisiima ,Julius Byamukama  , Diphas Kiguli, George Muron,Felix Warom Okello ,Simon Emwamu , Asuman Musomba , Tausi Nakato , Malik F Jjingo, Antonio Kalyango, Sam Caleb Opio , Masiko Godfrey & Abubaker Kirunda , Robert Muhereza, Naume Biira, Julius Hafasha & Emmanuel Arineitwe, Joseph Omollo ,Fred Wambede ,Mudangha Kolyanga  

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