NRM parliamentary primaries 2025 - as it happened

Presented and edited by Joseph Kizza
(Scroll down the page to view earlier updates)
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 12:15 AM 

 END OF LIVE PAGE 

And there will be more winners to be announced in the coming minutes and hours. For now, I conclude this live page.

Congratulations to all the winners!

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 12:04 AM 

More winners...

▪️ Former area MP Hajji Muyanja Mbabali - Bukoto South (Lwengo district)
▪️ Emmanuel Kiyimba - Bukoto Midwest (Lwengo district)
▪️ MP Muyunja Ssentayi - Bukoto West (Lwengo district)
▪️ Annet Musibikha - Manafwa district Woman MP, beating incumbent Dr. Mary Goretti Kitutu
▪️ Sylvia Katoko - Kibuku district Woman MP
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 11:58 PM 

Yeri wins Tororo Municipality ticket

New Vision's George Ofwono reports:

❝Apollo Yeri Ofwono, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality, has secured the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag for the upcoming general elections. Ofwono was declared the winner after garnering 4,176 votes.

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 11:40 PM 

Teso Affairs minister on winning side

New Vision's Michael Onyinge reports:

❝In Kalaki district, Teso Affairs minister Clement Kenneth Ongalo Obote has retained the NRM flag, beating the LC5 chairperson of Kalaki, Samuel Okello.

Ongalo got 25,934 votes, Okello 17,238, Isaac Arwei Okello 2,384 and David Omara 968.

Meanwhile, the incumbent Woman MP of Kalaki, Jennifer Ayoo Nulukwago, has lost the party ticket to Maria Goretti Ajilo.

Ajilo polled 18,605 votes, Nalukwago got 10,933 votes, Monica Asako garnered 9,524 votes while Angela Apako trailed with 1,711 votes.
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 11:26 PM 

VP Alupo cruises to victory

In Katakwi district, Vice-President Jessica Alupo will be the NRM flagbearer in next year's race for Katakwi district Woman MP, after securing a comfortable victory in Thursday's primaries.

Alupo polled 84,944 (88.8%), easily shaking off three other contestants.

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 11:13 PM 

Gen Moses Ali wins Adjumani flag

The Second Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Moses Ali, has won the NRM parliamentary primary elections for Adjumani West in Adjumani district with 8,609 votes, beating immediate challenger Nixon Owole, Moses Kibrai and Santos Adrawa Santos.
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 11:04 PM 

Who else has won?

▪️ Defence minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth wins West Budama Central
▪️ Former MP Andrew Aja Baryayanga wins Kabale Municipality
▪️ Susan Apio declared NRM flagbearer for Kwania district Woman MP

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 10:46 PM 

Rwashande vs Ssekikubo in Lwemiyaga

The Lwemiyaga parliamentary race candidate, Brig Gen (rtd) Emmanuel Rwashande, and his team are at the Ssembabule district headquarters (tally centre) awaiting the announcement of the final results, with provisional results indicating he is ahead of challenger and incumbent area MP Theodore Ssekikubo.

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 10:39 PM 

Mbaziira takes Rubaga South flag

Meanwhile, it has been a landslide victory for Musa Mbaziira in the Rubaga South County contest, garnering 20,148 votes (94.2%) against Derick Lufunya's 1,233 votes (5.8%).

He was declared winner by Robert Kato, the NRM electoral commission returning officer for Rubaga South.

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 10:30 PM 

More winners...

▪️ Godfrey Wakooli retains the NRM flag for Butiru County in Manafwa district
▪️ Eng John Wambogo Wekesa wins the Mbale Industrial City Division ticket
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 10:25 PM 

MUK Chancellor Kiyonga wins in Bukonzo

▪️ Makerere University Chancellor Crispus Kiyonga wins Bukonzo West County ticket in Kasese district
▪️ Stephenson Lokoru wins Chekwii East flag in Nakapiripirit district with 2,930 votes, beating minerals state minister Peter Lokeris
▪️ Sylvia Alinaitwe Mwanaki secures the Rukiga Woman MP NRM ticket, defeating the incumbent, Caroline Kamusime
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 10:10 PM 

Namukose will carry Jinja flag

In the Jinja district Woman MP NRM race, Monica Kamagu Namukose won with 33,941 votes, defeating Peace Tibyaze (28,739 votes) and Loy Katali (6,441 votes), reports Jackie Nambogga.

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 10:02 PM 

Nameere secures Masaka City ticket

Senior Presidential Advisor on Greater Masaka Affairs, Justine Nameere, has won the Masaka City Woman MP NRM parliamentary flag.
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 9:53 PM 

Ex-minister wins Samia Bugwe South flag

New Vision's Egesa Hajusu reports:

❝Former East African Community (EAC) Affairs state minister Julius Maganda Wandera has sailed through in the Samia Bugwe South race. He polled 15,813, beating incumbent Godfrey Were Odero (8,862 votes). Odero also lost to Maganda in 2020 but went on to defeat the latter in the general election. Thursday's polls were generally peaceful in the constituency.
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 9:27 PM 

Minister Adoa leading in Serere 

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝As at 9pm, incumbent Hellen Adoa (fisheries state minister) was leading in nine sub-counties out of the 15 in Serere district in the district Woman MP race. Her challengers are Esther Lucy Achom and Florence Iyogil. William Olir, the Serere district registrar, said that results from all villages had arrived at the tally centre.
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 9:18 PM 

More winners 

▪️ Michael Maranga Mawanda - Igara East (Bushenyi)
▪️ Sam Engola - Lira district
▪️ Cohen Kyampene Amanya - Bushenyi district
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 9:11 PM 

Who else has won? 

In Koboko Municipality in Kiboko district, incumbent MP Dr Charles Ayume has won the NRM flag with over 4,000 votes against his closest rival and Municipality mayor Wilson Sanya's 2,600 votes, reports Robert Adiga.
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 9:02 PM 

Wanyoto sails through in Mbale 

In a three-way contest, Lydia Wanyoto Mutende has won the Mbale City Woman MP ticket. She got 52,299 votes, brushing aside Sarah Wasagali (14,601 votes) and Ritah Namuwenge (8,775 votes).

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 8:48 PM 

Anywar remains firm in Kitgum 

New Vision's Christopher Nyeko reports:

❝Water and environment state minister Beatrice Atim Anywar has been declared the winner in the race for the Kitgum Municipality MP party flag. She garnered 3,730 votes, beating Henry Kissinger Oryem (363 votes), and George William Otim (29 votes).

Anywar was declared winner by Cyrus Odongkene, the NRM party registrar for Kitgum district and party administrator Innocent Geoffrey Nyeko.

Shortly after confirmed victor, she commended her supporters for entrusting her with the party flag and rallied them to continue with the support even in the forthcoming 2026 general elections.
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 8:35 PM 

Candidate in hot soup over DR forms 

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝Police have arrested Angela Atima after she allegedly handed the registrar James Otilem fake declaration of results (DR) forms. In the picture below is the DPC of Katakwi district, Jude Nasucha, checking out the alleged fake forms, flanked by deputy RDC Xevior Okwi. Atima (right) has tried to explain herself but she has been taken to the central police station to record a statement.

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 8:18 PM 

Gashaija shines and smiles in Entebbe 

New Vision's Julius Luwemba reports:

❝Steven Shyaka Gashaija has been declared winner of the Entebbe Municipality NRM MP flag with 4,175 votes — defeating opponents Jane Scholastica Gamba (467 votes) and Jovia Namara (192 votes).

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 8:10 PM 

Namara coasts to victory in Buyaga West 

Dennis Namara has swept the field in the Buyaga West contest, securing 59% of the vote to emerge winner of the NRM parliamentary ticket.

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 8:02 PM 

Who else has won? 

Annet Katusiime Mugisha will carry the NRM flag for Bushenyi district Woman MP after beating Vianah Kemigisha in the primaries. Katusiime won with 49,604 votes against Kemigisha's 32,279 votes.

Iddi Basajjabalaba has taken the Bushenyi Ishaka Municipality flag with 13,765 votes.
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 7:42 PM 

'Underdog' wins in Busia 

New Vision's Egesa Hajusu reports:

❝Underdog Sowedi Isma Mulemya has swept all the 24 villages of Busia Municipality to win the NRM parliamentary ticket. He has beaten the likes of incumbent Geoffrey Macho, Sarah Taabu, Michael Wesonga Khajuba, and Hassan Kanuna.
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 7:36 PM 

Adome retains Moroto Municipality ticket 

New Vision's Olandason Wanyama reports:

❝In Moroto district (Karamoja sub-region), incumbent Francis Lorika Adome has retained the Moroto Municipality NRM parliamentary flag. He garnered 2,129 votes (57%), beating challengers Fred Angella (1,529 votes), Esther Angella Pulkol (49 votes), and Rosemary Nate (9 votes).
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 7:25 PM 

Nambi takes Kawempe North flag 

Faridah Nambi has been declared winner of the Kawempe North NRM parliamentary primaries with 9,820 votes, with her challenger Hanifa Karadi garnering 1,085 votes.

Meanwhile, the supporters and agents of Ntale Madina have celebrated her election victory in her absence after winning the Kawempe South NRM ticket. Madina scored 12,802 votes, easily beating John Bogere Muwanguzi  (298 votes) and Nakamya Fatia (257 votes).

The results were declared by Jane Kabahweza.

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 7:10 PM 

Unopposed in Greater Masaka 

Here are the unopposed parliamentary contenders from Greater Masaka region:

▪️ Kyotera: Microfinance state minister Haruna Kasolo
▪️ Kalungu East: Former defense minister Vincent Ssempijja
▪️ Mawogola North: Sodo Godfrey Aine Kaguta
▪️ Nyendo Mukungwe Division: Rachael Nakitende
▪️ Kimaanya Kabonela Division: Robert Assimwe Kimanya
▪️ Bukomansimbi North: Salim Kissekka 
▪️ Bukomansimbi South: Bashir Ssemakula

(Reporting by Dismus Buregyeya)
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 7:06 PM 

Who is leading where? 

Here are the candidates leading early, according to provisional results, as reported by New Vision's Bruno Mugizi:

 SHEEMA DISTRICT 

Sheema North: Dr Elioda Tumwesigye
Sheema Municipality: Dickson Kateshumbwa
Sheema South: Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu
Sheema District Woman MP: Adrine Katusiime Mwebesa

 BUSHENYI DISTRICT 

Igara West: Cohen Kyampene
Igara East: Michael Mawanda
Bushenyi District Woman MP: Annet Mugisha Katusiime
Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality: Iddi Basajjabalaba
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 6:58 PM 

Hashim wins Nebbi Municipality ticket 

Sulaiman Hashim has been declared the winner of the Nebbi Municipality MP NRM primary election, with 4,316 votes against his challenger Alfred Ronald Olar's 2,450 votes.

That means Hashim will cary the party's flag in next year's general election.

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 6:33 PM 

It's crunch time! 

Candidates are now eagerly waiting for the outcome of today's primaries. One of them is Peace Tibyaze, who is eyeing the Jinja Woman parliamentary seat flag and is seen here below already settled at the tally centre.

Tibyaze's challenger, Monica Kamagu Namukose (pictured below, right) is also at the facility with her poll agents.

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 6:25 PM 

6 Agago villages vote without 'yellow book' 

New Vision's Christopher Nyeko reports:

❝In the northern district of Agago, six villages where the voters registers (yellow books) not delivered in time prompted the respective election officials to turn to the village chairpersons to help in physically verifying the eligible voters.

They include Wii-polo cell in Lai-Mutto Town Council, Ogole village in Wol sub-county, Polcani Bunga and Ojur Villages in Lamiyo sub-county, Alwee village in Agengo sub-county and Olung village in Lokole sub-county.

Patrick Komakech, the NRM party administrator for Agago district, said there was a mixup of yellow books for the affected villages with the ones for Gulu and Omoro districts.

He said the registers were later delivered to the district, but after voting had ended.

Simon Peter Okeny, the NRM assistant registrar for Agago district, said he had shared soft copies of the register with the officials conducting the exercise in the affected villages but that that did not help much since most of the officials did not have smartphones or other gadgets to view the names.

According to him, they ended up using the village chairpersons to identify and verify the eligible voters, while other officials used the outdated party register in their possession.

In the race for the district Woman MP flag, incumbent MP Beatrice Akello Akori is battling Nancy Anek Obita.

For the Agago County contest, incumbent David Lagen is locking horns with Charles Peter Odok, Edward Makmot Otto, and Charles Komakech T'ooOdera.

Meanwhile, in Agago North County, incumbent John Amos Okot is facing off with Beatrice Atim, Benson Lugwar, William Sam Oyet, and Peter Okio Olal and in Agago West County, incumbent Ricky Richard Anywar is tussling it out with Jimmy Akasa Mokili and James Onying Penywii. 
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 6:13 PM 

WATCH: Rain dampens vote counting 

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝A downpour in Katakwi district has temporarily halted the counting of vote results. It has been raining since 5pm. Security is tight.

Take a look: 👇🏽


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 6:00 PM 

Wanyoto soaring in Mbale 

In Mbale city, the rain has nothing on the jubilant supporters of NRM party Women League chairperson Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, who appears to be in the lead as the provisional results for the Mbale City Woman MP party flag continue to flow in at the Mbale City Hall tally centre.

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 5:25 PM 

Ex-AG Ruhindi upbeat in Nakawa East 

New Vision's Paul Kiwuuwa reports:

❝Former Attorney General Fredrick Ruhindi appears to be leading in the race for the Nakawa East NRM flag. Ruhindi took Block 1-8 Bugolobi flats, Bugolobi market and Kitintale Zone 12.

His challenger, David Kintu Ssegirinya, was not voted at Kitintale Zone 12 polling station because his name missed in the updated NRM register.

Rosette Katushabe, the information officer of the zone, said: “Kintu wanted to vote at a wrong polling station. He is supposed to vote from Kitintale Zone 13, where he is registered."

At Bugolobi flats, there was low voter turnout, attributed to the working class voters. 
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 5:08 PM 

Results arriving at Katakwi tally centre

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝By 4pm in Katakwi district, results from eight sub-counties had arrived at the tally centre, according to the district registrar, James Otilem. He noted that the election had gone on well generally. John Robert Okiror, the Katakwi district chairman, said 629 villages participated in the election. Resident district commissioner (RDC) Stephen Ilemukorit is at the tally centre.

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 4:47 PM 

Incumbent MP misses vote

New Vision's Peter Abaanabasazi reports:

❝In Uganda's west, Kikuube district’s NRM primaries were thrown into disarray after voting materials arrived late, leaving incumbent Woman MP Florence Natumanya unable to vote. The delay was attributed to logistical challenges.

At Kidoma polling station in Kiziranfumbi sub-county, Natumanya’s designated voting centre, presiding officer Mugenyi Felisiano confirmed the MP’s absence, noting she had failed to appear by the scheduled voting time. 

Her supporter, Julius Bahebire, claimed she was “caught up by time”, although no further details were provided. Meanwhile, rival candidates, including Dan Muhairwe (former Buhaguzi MP seeking a comeback), capitalised on the moment. Muhairwe arrived early, mobilised supporters and urged election officials to ensure transparency, stating, “The hope of candidates rests on your integrity”.

Kikuube’s NRM administrative secretary, Robert Mwebesa, admitted that while voter registers were delivered a day earlier, critical declaration forms only arrived Thursday morning. Sub-county registrars, forced to collect materials from the district headquarters, delayed the distribution to polling stations.
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 4:26 PM 

Jinja polls peaceful with high turnout

New Vision's Jackie Nambogga reports:

❝Jinja district’s Butagaya sub-county and Namagera town council, both known to be characterised by chaos, were peaceful as voters remained calm.

In Kagoma constituency, the race remained for two contenders as it was in the bloody 2020, with Fredrick Munyirwa facing off with the incumbent, Moses Muwanika Walyomu. Whereas Munyirwa scooped the party card in that one, Walyomu contested as an independent and won the seat.

Munyirwa, who voted from Lubanyi Vocational Training Centre in Lubani West village, Namagera town council, challenged security to ensure that they didn’t have a repeat of five years ago. Walyomu voted from Nakakulwe village in Butagaya sub-county.

At Lubani SSS, presiding officer Nicholas Bukone described the exercise as peaceful. “You can see we have agents of all candidates and none is attacking each other. This is how an internal exercise should be," he said.

Fred Tenywa, a voter, said the exercice went on smoothly.

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 4:05 PM 

Missing names in Ayivu East

New Vision's Johnpaul Opio reports:

❝As the ruling NRM conducted its primaries, chaos and confusion particularly marked the process in Nyio Ward, Ayivu Division, Arua city.

A number of NRM members who showed up early to vote were met with disappointment after realizing their names were missing from the official party register. Many said they had actively participated in previous party activities, including the NRM LC1 elections, and could not understand why they had been excluded.

“We were there during the LC1 elections, our names were there. Now suddenly we’re missing from the register?” one frustrated voter questioned.

"People came in big numbers but most didn’t find their names. Some even found names of people who died long ago. As a registrar, I am confused," said Akello Whiny, the cell registrar.

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 3:42 PM 

Only 5 names in voters register?

New Vision's Rosemary Anena reports:

❝In Gulu city, primary elections in Bardege-Layibi Division were marked by disorganization, with some parliamentary candidates failing to deploy agents or display campaign posters at various polling stations, factors that likely contributed to their poor performance.

Five candidates are contesting for the party flag in the race for Member of Parliament for the division: Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, Roy Robert Olal, Robinson Oryema, Bosmic Joyce Otim, and Dennis Okello Oweka.

In the contest for the Gulu City Woman MP seat, four candidates are in the running: Concy Lagum, Jolly Grace Laker A. Okot, and Joyce Alima Reeni.

At polling stations such as Obiya East and Forgod Ward, candidate Concy Lagum failed to deploy agents or post campaign materials, resulting in her receiving no vote at those locations.

Similarly, candidates including Oweka, Olal, and Oryema were reported to have not deployed agents at most polling stations across the division.

Ivan Anthony Odida, the registrar for Obiya East, stated that all candidates were instructed to deploy agents at every polling station or, at the very least, display posters where agents could not be present. However, several candidates did not comply with this guidance.

Meanwhile, voting at the Gang Pa Min Desire Te Booster polling station began at 10 am, but was immediately thrown into confusion. Of the 591 registered voters, only five names appeared in the yellow book, a key voter verification tool. Registrar Samuel Okema was forced to halt the voting process and search for the correct yellow book from other polling stations.

When asked about the situation, Okema explained that most agents lacked appointment letters from their respective candidates, while others were not listed in the official voter registry, further complicating the process.
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 3:30 PM 

Low voter turnout in Kwania

New Vision's Solomon Okabo reports:

❝Today's NRM party primaries in Kwania constituency registered low voter turnout and delayed arrival of electoral materials.

Although the voting exercise was scheduled to officially commence at 10am with reading of names from the voters register, some polling stations such as Akaidebe village had recorded minimal presence of voters by midday. Similarly, only 10 voters had turned up for voting at Baradu polling station in Atongtidi sub-county by noon, out of 121 registered voters at the polling station. NRM electoral officials arrived late at several stations, further delaying preparations.

The contest for the party flagbearer in Kwania county attracted three candidates: incumbent MP Tony Ayo. Tonny Eron and Patrick Nelson Adupa.
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 3:06 PM 

Ogwang coasting in Ngariam

New Vision's Javier Omagor reports:

❝In Katakwi district's Ngariam county, the preliminary results from today’s primary elections show sports state minister and incumbent area MP Peter Ogwang leading at the polling centres New Vision has visited so far. 

At his home polling station in Oalei village, Aliakamer Parish, Ogwang polled an emphatic 314 votes, while his main rival Dan Mulalu garnered 12 votes. The other candidate, Augustine Otuko, got no vote here.

This pattern is being echoed in several other polling centres across the county, where early vote counts consistently place Ogwang in a commanding position. His supporters have described the early lead as celebratory, hailing the vote as a victory not only for Ogwang, but for the development agenda he has championed over the years.
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 2:41 PM 

Delayed voting, missing names in Fort Portal

New Vision's Jonan Tusingwire reports:

❝Dozens of NRM supporters were turned away from polling stations in Fort Portal City after their names were not seen in the party’s voters register, commonly referred to as the yellow book. This fuelled frustration and confusion among voters, with many accusing local party officials of poor preparation and possible voter suppression.

“I have been an NRM supporter for over 20 years. I voted in the last primaries, but today I was shocked to find my name missing,” said Geoffrey Kahuma, a resident of Kagote B in Fort Portal Central Division. “This is unacceptable, and the party needs to explain how this happened.”

Polling stations in areas such as Rwengoma A1, Jesus Supply and Lorry Park experienced similar challenges, with long lines quickly turning into complaints as officials turned away individuals not listed in the yellow book. Some voters claimed they had verified their names during the display exercise weeks prior, making the omissions all the more baffling.

In addition to missing names, several stations opened late due to the delayed arrival of election materials. By 11am, some areas had not yet started the election exercise, contributing to lower-than-expected turnout and rising tempers among voters. 

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 2:20 PM 

WATCH: 'Why I have withdrawn from race'

Sam Sonko Akol explains (in Luganda) his late withdrawal from the Mawokota North Constituency NRM race.


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 2:14 PM 

WATCH: 'Money exchanged hands'

Hanifa Karadi, who is eyeing the Kawempe North NRM ticket, claims there was voter bribery at some polling stations.


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 1:43 PM 

Amelia Kyambadde's challenger taps out

New Vision's Simon Ssekidde reports:

❝In Mpigi district, Sam Sonko Akol has withdrawn from the Mawokota North Constituency NRM race just before start of polling, citing bias, intimidation and other irregularities.

He has been battling for the party flag against former area MP and minister Amelia Kyambadde (pictured below).

"I have decided to withdraw from the race because of the many irregularities that have marred the whole process, the heavy military presence in all the voting areas and abnormalities in the registers," Akol told reporters at his home in Mbute village, Kammengo sub-county, where he is the current LC3 chairperson.

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 1:30 PM 

Alupo, Okiror taste victory at Oigo Imomwa PS

New Vision's Francis Ocen reports:

❝In the village of Oigo Imomwa in Katakwi district, voting results from Oigo Imomwa polling station in Aketa Parish, Ongongoja sub-county have been announced.

All the 312 voters registered in this village have voted for Vice-President Jessica Alupo, who is the incumbent. Her challengers, Violet Akurut Adome and Angela Anuken, each got no vote at this particular polling station. Cecilia Anyakoit tapped out of the race on the eve of the primaries.

In the Usuk Constituency MP race at the same polling station, incumbent Bosco Okiror garnered 252 votes, defeating Richard Ongorok, who received 58 votes, while Jessica Akwi got no vote here.

The polling station registrar, Moses Otim, officially declared Alupo and Okiror as winners from Oigo Imomwa polling station.
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 1:23 PM 

Late delivery of poll materials in Serere

New Vision's Patrick Odongo reports:

❝In Serere district, voting in Akoroi A Village, at PAG Polling Station in Okido Parish, Kateta sub-county, has been delayed due to the late delivery of key election materials, including declaration forms and polling ropes.

The delay has been confirmed by the village registrar, Richard Amanda, who says officials are still waiting for the missing items. While some voters remain at the polling station hoping the exercise will begin soon, others have expressed frustration and are contemplating returning home to attend to their daily duties.
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 1:20 PM 

WATCH: Where are you?

Polling in Neeta Zone, Central A Division in Kampala...


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 1:05 PM 

There has been ubiquitous security deployment across the country, including in Jinja city, to ensure the primaries are conducted with no major incident. 

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 12:25 PM 

📸  Picture this...

Take note: the winners of today's NRM primary elections will be officially announced at the respective district tallying centres following counting of votes. For now, some camps already know the fate of their candidates.

In Jinja South West Constituency, for instance, Moses Grace Balyeku and co are in early celebrations as they sense victory.

At Kirombe North B polling station in Lira City West Division, the agents of two candidates, Eddy Morris Ogweng and Dr Moses Ogonya, are at the polling station.

In Kampala, NRM officials earlier read the names in the register at St Paul Church polling station in Kyebando.

Meanwhile at the same polling station, a confrontation between voters required the intervention of police officers to prevent it evolving into a frostier situation.

In Yumbe district, NRM district elections officer Morphat Mafu (left) and NRM administrator Rasul Adiga are seen organizing declaration forms ahead of voting.

In Kampala, at Neeta zone polling station, opposite Christ the King, the agents of the candidates stood forlorn as they waited for voters to arrive.

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 12:12 PM 

In Katakwi district in Uganda's east, the reading of names of the members in the NRM register is ongoing in Oigo Imumwa village, where Vice-President Jessica Alupo hails from. There are 312 names in the register, reports Godfrey Ojore.

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 12:05 PM 

In Kampala, NRM voters are taking their positions in the long lines at St. Paul Church polling station in Kyebando as polling gets under way here and across the country.

While the conversations among the waiting voters are expected to revolve around the politics of the day, others are using the opportunity to do business. Food vendors with transparent buckets know some people will desire a drink or two while waiting in the line. Or maybe a greasy vegetable samosa or chapatti.

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 12:00 PM 

 VOTING TIME 

It's midday and you know what that means. Polling time. Voting will be open until 2pm.

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 11:47 AM 

Today's NRM party primary elections are taking place in 72,000 villages across the country. In Arua, New Vision's Robert Adiga has captured the mood at Anyafio West polling station, where Arua Central Division MP Jackson Atima is expected to vote from. For now, the number of voters who have turned up is low on a sweltering Thursday, with the ones present checking for their names in the voters register.

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 11:38 AM 

Who will get the Kawempe North ticket?

New Vision's Simon Peter Tumwine reports:

❝Earlier, Faridah Nambi arrived at Kawempe Mbogo polling station in Kampala, where she will to vote from. Nambi is in the race for the NRM party flag for Kawempe North alongside Hanifa Karachi. The two faced off in March's Kawempe North byelection to replace the late Muhammad Ssegirinya, and both of them went on to lose to Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola of the National Unity Platform.

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 11:25 AM 

As we approach the much-awaited midday for the start of the NRM primary elections voting,  I should remind you that elections for the position of the district Woman Representative to Parliament shall be held first, followed by Constituency MP.

It will be voters lining behind their preferred candidate. And...no criss-crossing of lines by voters is allowed after counting of votes has started.

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 11:14 AM 

Ngariam is bubbling

New Vision's Javier Silas Omagor reports:

❝As early as 8:00am, voters in Ngariam county in Katakwi district had begun gathering at various polling stations, eager to participate in the NRM party primaries. Unlike the usual routine of attending to gardens before voting, residents such as Suzan Apolot chose to prioritise selecting their next leader.

“It is very important that I take part in choosing the right candidate who will represent Ngariam county in the general election,” she told New Vision.

Across the polling stations, a section of supporters can be seen donning campaign T-shirts, while others carry posters of their respective candidates contesting in the Ngariam county NRM flagbearer race. Motorcycles (boda bodas) and a few vehicles are moving from one polling station to another, deploying candidate agents and delivering final instructions ahead of the exercise.

In the race for the NRM MP flag in Ngariam county are the incumbent and sports state minister Peter Ogwang, Augustine Otuko, and Dan Mulalu.

Meanwhile, the Katakwi district Woman MP NRM flag has attracted a strong contest featuring Vice-President Jessica Alupo, former MP Viola Akurut, former National Council of Sports board member Cecilia Anyakoit, and Angela Anuken.

Voting materials have been delivered to most polling stations, with voters ready to cast their ballots to decide the party’s flagbearers ahead of the 2026 general elections.
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 11:00 AM 

 ONE HOUR TO GO 

Polling will get under way at noon. That's exactly an hour from now.

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 10:56 AM 

Katakwi in election mood

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝It's a cloudy morning in Katakwi district, which is 354km from Kampala city and people are streaming to their polling stations to prepare to line behind the candidates of their choice.

In Katakwi town, police patrol vehicles are seen patrolling. In Oigo Imomwa village, which is 18km away from Katakwi town, voters have gathered under mango trees waiting for the start of polling as they check for their names in the register.

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 10:43 AM 

In Arua, voters eager to vote

New Vision's King BoscoFranco reports:

❝By 10am, the NRM registrar for Abira Aluru cell, Ombaci ward in Ayivu East constituency in Arua city had arrived at the polling station with the NRM register. There are a total of 278 NRM registered voters in Abira Aluru cell. Only those whose names are in the register will be allowed to vote come midday.

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 10:30 AM 

Tororo set for polls

New Vision's George Ofwono reports:

❝As Tororo district goes in for the crucial NRM parliamentary flagbearer elections today, officials have issued stern warnings against favouritism and electoral malpractice. The stakes are high in the race to represent the district's 1,337 villages.

Electoral materials were distributed this morning at Tororo Central Police Station to sub-county registrars by NRM District Registrar Joseph Kadoketch and security officials. 

The distribution team underscored the need for a smooth and transparent process.

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 10:13 AM 

'Criss-crossing not allowed'

According to the election guidelines for today's primaries...

▪️ No official is allowed to start polling before 12pm.
▪️ The presiding officer will ask candidates or their agents to stand in a horizontal line with at least two metres separating each candidate or agent.
▪️ The presiding officer will then ask voters to line up behind candidates of their choice.
▪️ Polling assistants will stand behind each line after all voters have lined behind candidates of their choice.
▪️ Criss-crossing of lines by voters after counting of votes has started is not allowed.
▪️ In the event that a candidate's line is long, the presiding officer will ask voters to make a 'U' line in order to fit in the space available.
▪️ Voting by proxy is not allowed.
▪️ The NRM electoral commission has the power to postpone elections and notify stakeholders of a new date.
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 10:00 AM 

 TWO HOURS TO GO 

Polling will get under way at noon. That's exactly two hours from now.
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 9:57 AM 

A battle for 482 NRM tickets

So here is the thing. Altogether there are 499 parliamentary seats (353 for constituency MPs and 146 for district Woman MPs). Since 17 of these positions have unopposed candidates (already secured the party flag), there will be a total of 482 NRM tickets to be battled for today.

It is also important to remember that winning a party flag does not mean a candidate has secured the parliamentary seat. The winner will next have to battle for the seat against other candidates in next year's general election.

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 9:45 AM 

Ssembabule registrar dropped

New Vision's Dismus Buregyeya reports:

❝The NRM electoral commission has dropped the Ssembabule district NRM registrar, Patrick Ntale, after complaints related to compromise. The party EC has taken charge of the Ssembabule NRM party primaries now under Deborah Arayo, a senior staff at the Kyadondo party EC office.
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 9:30 AM 

NRM goes to the polls

It's polling day as Uganda's ruling political party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), is today (July 17) set to conduct primary elections for all Members of Parliament in all villages across the country. Today's exercise is by universal adult suffrage and will take the form of lining up. The party will choose its parliamentary flagbearers (constituency MPs and district Woman MPs) for the 2026 general election.

So here is how it will work...

▪️ Members will gather at their respective venues by 10am and names read to confirm attendance. This will go up to 11:45am.
▪️ The voting will start at 12pm (noon) and end at 2pm.
▪️ The eligible voters are only the members of NRM in the village who are in the party register.

▪️ Voting will be by lining up behind posters or agents of the candidates.
▪️ The party has made it clear that "voting by proxy is prohibited".
▪️ After counting, the presiding officer at every village will publicly announce the results and issue declaration of results forms duly signed by all agents of candidates.
▪️ The presiding officer will then give a copy of the form to the agents of each candidate.
▪️ Final tallying and announcement of results will be done at the district.

Here, below, is what the voting will look like: