Namutumba, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the National Resistance Movement (NRM) First National Vice Chairman Al-hajj Moses Kigongo to return to Namutumba District and investigate the disputed party primaries that have caused deep divisions among NRM members.
The directive came on Monday during the President’s campaign rally at Kayiti Grounds, where Namutumba District NRM vice chairperson Ronald Kibaki informed him that several primary election results were allegedly manipulated by the party’s electoral commission.
Kibaki told the President that the primaries were mismanaged, claiming that some candidates secured party flags under questionable circumstances.
“People got NRM flags from Kampala, unlike Hon Akamba Pau,l who went to court. Others we doubt their cards because Dr Tanga Odoi ordered that votes be taken to Kampala for recount, but a purported winner was declared before the set date of recount,” Kibaki said.
He added that the controversies have made it increasingly difficult for him, as district chairman, to convince party supporters not to rally behind independents. He appealed to the President to intervene and restore unity.
In response, President Museveni directed Al-hajj Moses Kigongo to immediately take charge of reconciliation efforts and investigate the primary elections that sparked internal friction.
Museveni said Kigongo would “bounce back in the district on a special assignment” to resolve misunderstandings, restore cohesion and ensure all NRM members rally behind the party flag bearers.
The President and Al-hajj Kigongo have consistently urged NRM members to put aside personal grievances and mobilize a unified block vote for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2026 polls.
The disputed primaries in Namutumba include: Bukono Constituency, where State Minister for Housing Princess Persis Namuganza lost the party flag to Maganda Emmanuel Katoko, a result her supporters contested.
The other is for the Woman MP flag race, where the incumbent Mariam Naigaga reportedly lost to Nakisita Betty, but was allegedly aided by the commission to retain the card.
In Busiki Constituency, Paul Akamba challenged the declaration of Waiswa Joel Azalwa. Azalwa was first announced the winner before the results were overturned the following morning, granting him the NRM ticket, eventually.
The unresolved disputes have pushed key figures, including Namuganza and Nakisita, to return as independent candidates, heightening political tension in the district.
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