Soroti, Uganda: The Resident District Commissioner of Soroti, Eseru Paul, has issued a stern warning to residents and political actors across Teso Sub-region against engaging in electoral offenses as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party officially kicks off campaigns for the 2025 primaries.
In an official statement released on Monday, June 30, 2025, Mr Eseru cautioned that his office, in collaboration with security agencies and the NRM Electoral Commission, will not tolerate any acts of voter bribery, tribalism, hate speech, intimidation, or the importation of non-residents to influence the primaries.
“Let it be clearly understood that any acts of voter bribery, tribalism, hate speech, intimidation, Importation of Non-residents to vote, defacement of campaign materials, incitement of violence, impersonation, or any activity contrary to the electoral laws of Uganda will not be tolerated, the RDC stated.
“Any individual found committing or abetting electoral malpractice will be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Eseru added, emphasizing that a General Inquiries File (GIF) has already been opened at Soroti Central Police Station–Katine to register all complaints related to electoral offenses.
The warning comes as the NRM primaries in Soroti and surrounding districts are shaping up to be some of the most competitive in recent memory, with several heavyweight politicians and new entrants battling for the party flag ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Observers note that in Soroti City and Soroti District, political heat is especially high in constituencies such as Soroti East and Soroti West, where incumbent MPs are facing stiff challenges from youthful aspirants backed by influential business and religious groups.
In Teso as a whole, the primaries are seen as a referendum on internal party democracy after several by-elections and court petitions in recent years left NRM structures divided and accusations of favoritism and rigging widespread.
RDC Eseru appealed to all candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and adhere strictly to electoral laws.
“We call upon all political actors, their supporters, and the general public to uphold peace, respect the rule of law, and ensure a free and fair electoral process in Soroti District,” he said, urging everyone to “work together to protect the integrity of our democracy.”
According to the NRM Electoral Commission, open campaigns for the highly anticipated primaries to pick party flag bearers for parliamentary, district chairperson, and councillor positions will officially commence Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
The NRM Secretariat has also dispatched teams to sensitize party structures on electoral guidelines and to promote what it calls a “consensus and reconciliation approach” in areas prone to violence and allegations of rigging.
In previous election cycles, Soroti has witnessed tensions between supporters of rival camps, particularly over allegations of importing voters from neighboring Kapelebyong, Ngora, and Serere.
But this time around, security forces have pledged to deploy adequately to avert any possible violence during this period.
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