Amuru, Uganda: Tensions are escalating in Amuru District ahead of the NRM party primaries scheduled for Thursday, July 17, as several contestants accuse two Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) of interference and intimidation in favor of certain candidates.
The RDCs under scrutiny are Geoffrey Oceng Osborn (Amuru RDC) and James Nabinson Kidega (Agago RDC). Contestants vying for positions, including Woman Member of Parliament, Kilak North and South MPs, and District LCV Chairperson, accuse the two RDCs of breaching the party’s neutrality by actively favoring specific individuals during the campaigns.
Winnifred Akidi, contesting for the Amuru District Woman MP seat, claims RDC Oceng has been intimidating parish NRM chairpersons and warning them against mobilizing for any candidates other than Jane Naku, whom he reportedly presents as “the government’s candidate.”
“What Oceng is doing is not only unfair but goes against the party guidelines. RDCs have no role in influencing party internal processes,” Akidi stated.
In Kilak North, Christopher Ojera accuses RDC Kidega of illegally crossing into Amuru District to openly campaign for Anthony Akol, a former FDC MP now contesting under the NRM ticket.
“It’s unacceptable for an RDC from Agago to interfere in Amuru affairs. Kidega’s actions undermine the credibility of this electoral process,” Ojera argued.
However, both RDCs have denied the accusations. Kidega said his presence in Amuru was purely for official duties, not political campaigning. Oceng dismissed claims that he has ordered NRM leaders to stop mobilizing for other candidates.
Wilfred Odiya Baguma, the NRM District Chairperson for Amuru, confirmed receiving multiple complaints about RDC interference. “Government officials should not interfere with party elections. The NRM Secretariat has emphasized that all candidates must be treated fairly,” Baguma warned.
Beyond accusations of intimidation, fears of voter fraud loom. Akidi alleges plans are underway to ferry refugees from Adjumani and South Sudanese nationals to vote illegally in Bibia and Elegu Town Councils.
Baguma confirmed these security concerns, noting the party has identified Elegu, Bibia, and Atiak Sub County as potential hotspots for electoral malpractice and has written to NRM headquarters requesting additional security deployment.
Walter Kidega, the NRM Registrar for Amuru, assured that only voters in the official yellow books will participate. He also revealed that a fake voter register was recently intercepted and handed over to the police.
RDC Oceng affirmed that security deployments will be beefed up across the district to prevent violence or irregularities before, during, and after the polls.
Amuru District has 203 polling stations, with eight candidates vying for the Woman MP, three in Kilak North and Kilak South constituencies each, and seven for the District LCV Chairperson seat.
As the countdown to Thursday’s primaries continues, contestants and voters are calling for transparency, neutrality, and peaceful elections, as the district edges closer to the 2026 general elections.
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