By Johnson Kanyesige
Four candidates in the recently concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries for the Buruli Constituency seat in Masindi District have jointly rejected the results and called for a fresh election, citing widespread irregularities and electoral malpractice.
The primaries, held last Thursday, saw incumbent MP Aled Ronald Akugizibwe declared the NRM flag bearer after garnering 9,147 votes, representing 45 percent of the total. He was followed by Julius Mugisa, who received 4,140 votes, while Zachaeus Mwetegya came third with 3,687 votes. Stephen Kabindi emerged fourth with 2,840 votes, and Patrick Ongei trailed with 526 votes. The results were announced by Moses Ogwang, the Masindi District NRM Registrar.
However, the four losing candidates—Zachaeus Mwetegya, Stephen Kabindi, Patrick Ongei, and Julius Mugisa—have jointly rejected the outcome, citing voter bribery, vote rigging, intimidation, and disenfranchisement. They allege that their polling agents were obstructed and intimidated, denying them the opportunity to witness and verify the tallying process.
Stephen Kabindi said there was misrepresentation and omission of candidates’ names, especially the rightful names of some of them on the declaration forms. Zachaeus Mwetegya added that multiple declaration forms with different serial numbers were issued for the same polling stations, creating duplication and confusion during the electoral process.
Julius Mugisa accused election officials of deliberately manipulating the process to favor a pre-determined outcome, contrary to the NRM constitution and electoral guidelines. The disgruntled candidates are demanding the nullification of results from all affected polling stations and the conduct of fresh, free, and fair elections under heightened transparency and supervision.
They also seek an audience with the NRM National Chairman and the Secretary General to restore faith in the party’s internal electoral system. In response, Moses Ogwang, the district NRM registrar, defended the integrity of the election. He said the entire election process in Masindi was free and fair. However, he advised the aggrieved candidates to formally petition the NRM Electoral Commission, noting that his office lacks the authority to nullify declared results or call for a re-run.
