Voters at the Wabigalo Church Zone polling station, Makindye Division, for the NRM Local Council elections on May 6, 2025. Photo/Sylivia Katushabe
The ongoing ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) internal elections have once again lived up to expectations, marked by a mixture of chaos and celebrations across the country.
In Kamuli District, tensions peaked in Kitayunjwa Sub-county, Bugabula South Constituency, where elections for LC2 positions were postponed following disputes between supporters of Mr Mathew Basanya and a rival camp comprising incumbent MP Maurice Henry Kibalya, former MP Asuman Kiyingi, and former chairman Thomas Kategere.
Police fired teargas to disperse Mr Basanya’s supporters, who defiantly chanted slogans such as “Kadaga is ours” and “Anita is a foreigner.” Despite a heavy downpour, they remained at the venue. “We are not weakened but strengthened by the cancellation of our elections at Namisambya Parish,” Mr Basanya told supporters.
“Our rivals claimed we were hiding voters under the guise of a seminar,” he added. The situation escalated when Mr Kibalya’s supporters allegedly destroyed Basanya’s political shrine and relocated it to Kibalya’s Community Hospital.
In Kisoro District, the former State Minister for Regional Cooperation, Dr Philemon Mateke, was elected unopposed as publicity secretary of Nyakabingo Parish, Chahi Sub-county.
Minister for presidency Milly Babalanda gestures on January 20, 2024 at St John Wakitaka SS in Jinja, the venue for the Janaury 26, 2024 NRM Day national celebrations. PHOTO/TAUSI NAKATO
In a more celebratory atmosphere in Buyende District, Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda, also an aspiring MP for Budiope West, was elected unopposed as Women’s League Chairperson for Iringa Parish.
Similarly, State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, who is attempting to reclaim the Kyotera County MP seat, was elected unopposed as Secretary for Finance on the NRM committee for Nkenge Ward in Kasaali Town Council.
Kyotera District Chairperson Patrick Kintu Kisekulo also sailed through unopposed as Publicity Secretary on the same committee.
According to Ms Afisah Nalubega, a district councillor and Minister Kasolo’s mobiliser, leaders were chosen through consensus.
“Our goal is to reclaim all parliamentary seats in the district. Internal divisions cost us dearly last time,” she said.
Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo. PHOTO/ FILE
In Sembabule District, Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo, who was last week elected Secretary at Lwemiyaga A Village, missed the latest vote due to what he described as an “equally important meeting” at the NRM Secretariat.
Masaka Regional NRM Administrator Umar Ssebulime said many parishes reached consensus, with most candidates going through unopposed. He cited Sunga Parish in Masaka District, where Godfrey Bukenya, Jessica Nalusiba, Fred Ntumwa, and Ofwono Joseph secured various committee posts. A similar pattern was observed in parishes such as Kyabakuza (Kimaanya-Kabonera Municipality), Mukudde, Ssenyange, and Katwadde (Nyendo-Mukungwe Municipality).
In Lwengo District, however, voter turnout was low, reportedly due to some candidates discouraging participation.
In Mityana, Mr Muhammad Kibedi Nsegumire, MP for Mityana North, was elected vice chairperson for Kalangalo Parish, defeating Mr Godfrey Kabuuza with 178 votes to 11. Mr Kabuuza belongs to the camp of Mr Godfrey Kiwanda, the NRM vice chairperson for Buganda Region.
State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Mr Kabuye Kyofatogabye addresses market vendors and leaders in Kawuku on Entebbe road on December 3, 2024. PHOTO/ COURTESY
In Nakaseke District, State Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs Joseph Kabuye Kyofatogabye was elected unopposed as party treasurer for Kivumu Parish, Kito Sub-county. He now eyes the sub-county-level elections set for May 16, expressing optimism about the youth’s strong participation.
In Kabale District, Maj Gen (Rtd) Timothy Sabiiti Mutebile, the former commander of the UPDF Engineering Brigade, was elected unopposed for the Veterans League Central Ward, Central Division, Kabale Municipality.
Voters check for their names in the register during the NRM parish elections in Central Ward, Kabale Municipality on May 12, 2025. PHOTO/ROBERT MUHEREZA
In Masindi Municipality, the following were elected: Albino Otabong (Malaba Ward), Erasmus Onyait (Asinge Ward), Rajab Mokili (Obore Ward), Richard Emojong (Amagoro Ward), and Stanley Ongurapusi (Akolodongo Ward).
In Lango Sub-region, results were still being compiled. In Dokolo District, Mr George Okello was elected NRM chairperson for Alapata Parish, Bata Sub-county, with Mr Robert Amar as parish secretary. Other elected youth leaders included Jasper Ogal, Lameck Odongo, Ronald Ogwal, Jimmy Oyanga, and Jasper Ouni.
Dokolo NRM Registrar Isaac Omara noted he was still receiving results amid a large volume of complaints.
In Kampala Capital City, the NRM elections were mired in allegations of opposition infiltration. Candidates were blocked over claims of association with the National Unity Platform (NUP), though no concrete evidence was presented.
In Ndeeba Parish, Rubaga Division, chaos broke out at a church venue where voters were denied entry. Some claimed to be worshippers, while others insisted they were being smuggled in to vote, triggering suspicions of electoral manipulation at Victory Christian Church.
In Rubaga Parish, elections proceeded smoothly due to a lack of competition, as most positions had only one nominee after their rivals failed to appear. In other parts of Rubaga Division, including Najjanankumbi II, elections were postponed due to vote ties, prompting frustration over poor planning and lack of transparency.
Ms Sarah Nagawa, an NRM loyalist, said: “We were told elections were postponed due to ties. That’s understandable, but we expected better planning. There was no communication about how ties would be resolved.” NRM Returning Officer for Rubaga Robert Kato confirmed that voting was halted in tied areas.
“As per party guidelines, we must establish a clear majority before declaring a winner,” he said, adding that fresh voting dates would be announced. Despite these challenges, Kato said most areas with clear outcomes reported peaceful and orderly elections. By press time, results from Central Division and Nakawa were still being verified, while Makindye and parts of Rubaga also experienced delays.
Compiled by Franklin Draku, Robert Muhereza, Naume Biira, Felix Warom Okello, Tobbias Jolly Owiny, Sylivia Namagembe, Jacinta Maria Kanyange, David Walugembe, Karim Muyobo, Teddy Dokotho, Clement Aluma, Fred Wambede, Bill Oketch, Ismail Bategeka, Al Mahdi Ssenkabirwa, Dan Wandera, Antonio Kalyango, Malik F. Jjingo, Isa Aliga, Shabibah Nakirigya & Sam Caleb Opio
