Bukedea, Uganda: Bukedea County Member of Parliament Hon John Bosco Ikojo has rejected results from the just-concluded NRM party primaries in Bukedea District, citing widespread irregularities, voter intimidation, electoral fraud, and violence, declaring to contest as an independent candidate in the 2026 general elections if the party fails to act on his complaints.
“The NRM Electoral Commission, national party leadership, and relevant authorities need to investigate this matter thoroughly and take urgent corrective action. It is imperative to restore sanity, transparency, and public trust in the electoral process in Bukedea District,” Ikojo said.
In his formal complaint to the NRM party headquarters’ complaints desk, Ikojo outlined specific incidents of electoral malpractice in Kolir, Bukedea, Bukedea Town Council, and Kocheka sub-counties, which he said compromised the integrity of the process.
He singled out Kolir sub-county as the epicenter of irregularities, alleging inflated declaration forms in favor of his opponent David Beecham Okwere. Ikojo cited polling stations like Amoen (276 votes), Ajesa (230 votes), Apopong (420 votes), Kodiata (398 votes), and Rock View (236 votes) as having fraudulent tallies.
“These results were neither verified nor transparently tallied. My polling agent was coerced into signing the declaration forms under duress. They have since confessed they fear even attending burials in those areas,” he said.
In Bukedea sub-county, Ikojo highlighted further discrepancies at Kachage polling station, where he claims his genuine results were swapped. Other disputed tallies included Ocuuma (81 votes), Akuoro (100 votes), Kamon (106 votes), and Akaramai (79 votes).
He further alleged a 489-vote arithmetic error in Kocheka that electoral officials ignored despite repeated complaints. “Such discrepancies clearly point to deliberate manipulation to alter the democratic will of the people,” he said.
Violence, Intimidation, and Security Complicity
Ikojo also accused security forces of complicity. “The entire election was chaotic and unsafe. Riot police fired live bullets at citizens protesting the outcome. I am not afraid to say the district’s top security committee was compromised and failed to ensure a free and fair process,” he said.
He accused NRM Bukedea District Chairperson Isaac Epilo of openly backing a rival candidate, thereby violating principles of impartiality. “Everyone in Bukedea knows the rift within the party and the role played by compromised leaders,” Ikojo charged.
Locals who spoke to DailyExpress echoed Ikojo’s frustration. Moses Okello of Kamutur Sub-county attributed low voter turnout to “intimidation, manipulation of the register, and propaganda,” adding that “Bukedea is the most undemocratic district in Uganda.”
Sam Omuron from Bukedea Town Council said Ikojo should move on and mobilize openly as an independent candidate. “Losing the NRM ticket is not holy communion. Look at Bukedea and Katakwi history. Even the Vice President didn’t waste time pleading—she went back to her people, and the President later appointed her,” he noted.
Disputed Results
According to Bukedea District Returning Officer Charles Otai, David Beecham Okwere was declared winner with 13,651 votes, while John Bosco Ikojo garnered 13,064 votes. Other candidates, George Stephen Ekuma and Alfred Obwokor Isalaleje, polled 3,540 and 2,130 votes respectively.
All the losing candidates have since rejected the results and declined to endorse the final declaration from the returning officer.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
