Iganga, Uganda: The NRM district registrar for Iganga, Mr. Kirunda Yazid, has been remanded to prison until Thursday, July 24, 2025, over charges of electoral fraud during the party’s just-concluded primary elections for Member of Parliament flag bearers.
Kirunda, a resident of Bugumba Upper Village in Iganga Municipality, appeared before Iganga Chief Magistrate Daniel Epobu Kiboko on Wednesday, where he was charged with two counts of faking and presenting false declaration results forms to the NRM electoral commission for Kigulu South Constituency.
“It is alleged that you and others still at large, on July 17, 2025, in an unknown place within Iganga District, forged declaration of results forms in the NRM primaries for MP Kigulu South, which were not genuine. You are also charged with presenting those fake forms to the NRM electoral commission,” read part of the charge sheet.
Kirunda, however, denied all allegations.
The presiding magistrate deferred ruling on his bail application until Thursday at 9:00 am, following a request by the State Attorney for more time to scrutinize supporting documents submitted by the defense.
Despite producing four sureties, including Iganga Northern Division Chairperson Hajj Kataba Muhammad, Luuka Town Council Clerk Maganda Siraji, and two relatives, he was not granted bail.
Defense lawyer Counsel Sam Kyozira said the delay was procedural. “We submitted all documents necessary for bail, but the State asked for time to study them. We argued that the accused has already spent a considerable period in detention, but court directed us to return tomorrow for a ruling,” he told reporters outside the courtroom.
Kirunda was arrested on Monday after he allegedly unilaterally declared Kayemba Patrick as winner of the Kigulu South NRM MP primaries, despite pending disputes from several polling stations.
Preliminary results had placed Kayemba in the lead with 7,095 votes, closely followed by Yusuf Kyafu Ntulume with 6,657 votes and Abdul Rahim Sebukaire alias Kyangha with 6,608. Incumbent MP Milton Muwuma polled 5,248 while Waiswa Ian trailed with 3,057.
Kirunda’s arrest has deepened controversy in the hotly contested Kigulu South race, already marred by allegations of ballot stuffing, result tampering, and voter intimidation.
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