NRM LC5 and mayoral primaries 2025 — as it happened

Presented and edited by Joseph Kizza
(Scroll down he page to view earlier updates)
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 12:10 AM 

 END OF LIVE PAGE 

There are definitely more winners from Thursday's primaries, some yet to be declared. But over here, I shall tap out and end this live page. Glad you could follow along.

Congs to the winners. To those who didn't pull through, hard luck.
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 12:08 AM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Pader LC5 boss loses flag to predecessor

New Vision's Kenneth Rasik reports:

❝Pader district chairperson Fearless Oyat Obwoya has lost the NRM party flag to Alfred Akena, the former district chairperson who occupied the position from 2011 until 2016.

Akena won with 15,637 votes, Godfrey Oringa Largo (also a former district chairperson) got 12,021 votes while Obwoya trailed with 11,803 votes.
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 11:56 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Third term-seeking Anyama on course

New Vision's Robert Ariaka reports:

❝Williams Anyama, the incumbent district chairperson of Moyo, has won the party primary elections. He triumphed with 9,782 votes, beating Francis Madara Tiondi (4,917 votes) and Bishop Charles Dominic Tiondi (1,096 votes).

Anyama (pictured below) is seeking a third term in the district office.

Meanwhile, for the district local councillors, Daniel Adibaku won for Laropi sub-county (1,412 votes), Peter Isadru for Aluru sub-county (1,102 votes) and Janet Dipio for Metu sub-county (1,220 votes).
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 11:45 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Dilla's challenger concedes defeat in Oyam

New Vision's Saidi Engola reports:

❝In Oyam, district chairperson Benson Walter Dilla has been declared the NRM party flagbearer for the LC5 position with 58,731 votes, representing 73 percent of the total votes cast.

Dilla beat former Minakulu sub-county chief Patrick Ogwal Ojok (15,811 votes) and Emmanuel Oyite (6,399 votes). He hailed his voters for the support and vowed to retain his seat in the 2026 general elections.

Dilla also called for unity among all the candidates who contested for the party flag in the race. Meanwhile, Oyite conceded defeat and promised to support Dilla and other candidates who sailed through in the party primaries.
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 11:32 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Drabe takes Madi Okollo party flag

Pictured below is Ismail Adirisi Drabe, the winner of the Madi Okollo district chairperson primary election.

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 11:10 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Lira mayor Atul retains party flag

New Vision's Hudson Apunyo reports:

❝Incumbent Lira city mayor Sam Atul (pictured below) has sailed through with an overwhelming majority to secure the NRM flag for the 2026 mayoral race, solidifying his stronghold on the city’s top political seat.

Atul stood as an independent candidate in the 2021 general election.

In Thursday's primary elections, he won with 16,530 votes, trouncing his lone challenger Henry Opio Ogenyi, a former commissioner of survey, who managed just 2,740 votes.

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 10:56 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Asiimwe takes Kyotera LC5 flag

Peter Ssasira Asiimwe has won the Kyotera district chairperson NRM primary election with 22,834 votes, his victory announced by Kyotera district NRM registrar John Bosco Tamale.
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 10:43 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Unopposed candidates in Greater Masaka

▪️ Fredrick Luswata (Masaka city mayor)
▪️ John Kakande (Masaka district chairperson)
▪️ Richard Kyabaggu (Kalungu district chairperson)
▪️ Julius Bulegeya (Bukomansimbi district chairperson)
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 10:30 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Incumbent Opio retains Gulu flag

New Vision's Dennis Ojwee reports:

❝Gulu district chairperson, Christopher Ateker Opio, has retained the NRM party flag after garnering 5,198 votes, beating his closest contender, Betty Atim, who got 3,661 votes. Kenneth Odong Oyet, a researcher and the founder of the African Centre for Social Protection and Reviews, polled 2,074.
 
George Ebola, the NRM registrar for Gulu district, declared the results from the NRM office in Awach town council and hailed the candidates for abiding by the election guidelines. He said the polls were peacefully held despite some technical hiccups that he declined to disclose.
 
Opio, in his victory speech, vowed to garner support to win the forthcoming 2026 general elections. But his immediate challenger in the race, Atim, attributed her loss to what she described as loopholes in the NRM electoral system that she claimed gave room for vote rigging.
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 10:15 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Nwoya district chairperson concedes defeat

New Vision's Wilfred Lamony Jwee reports:

❝Emmanuel Orach, the Nwoya district chairperson, has lost the primary election to former district chairperson Patrick Okello Oryema.

Oryema got 3,755 votes to win the district NRM flag, with Orach getting 2,691 votes. District speaker Tony Okello garnered 1,863 votes, ahead of Innocent F. Komakech (1,291 votes), and Richard Atare (11 votes).

In 2021, Oryema lost to Tony Awany in the Nwoya County Member of Parliament race. He joined the NRM recently, having contested in 2021 as an independent candidate, but leaning towards the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party.

On Thursday, after the declaration of the final results by the NRM party registrar for Nwoya district, Patrick Opiyo Okwonga, Orach conceded defeat and rallied his supporters to vote for Oryema in the 2026 general elections.
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 9:53 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Winners of mayoral races

▪️ Incumbent Brian Kaboyo wins Hoima city flag
▪️ Incumbent Sam Atul secures Lira city ticket
▪️ George Mwanika wins Mbale City Northern Division flag
▪️ Peter Abraham Irar retains Kotido Municipality ticket
▪️ Abdul Hafidh Nagaya takes Jinja city flag
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 9:30 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Winners of district chairperson (LC5) races

▪️ Tonny Wamagale wins Mbale flag
▪️ Anthony Kateu wins Budaka flag
▪️ Radio talk show host Emma Bwayo secures Namisindwa ticket
▪️ Former Bubulo West MP Fred Gyabi Bukeni takes Manafwa flag
▪️ Alex Nabende takes Sironko ticket
▪️ Asiraf Mambu wins Koboko flag
▪️ Isaac Okello Omiat secures Amuria victory
▪️ Pulkol Anjello is flagbearer for Moroto
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 8:28 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Todo wins Kole LC5 flag

New Vision's Joseph Ekol reports:

❝Daniel Todo, a councillor representing Alito sub-county in Kole district local government, has been declared the NRM flagbearer for the Kole district chairperson.
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 8:17 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Batwala is victor in Jinja two-horse race

New Vision's Jackie Nambogga reports:

❝Moses Batwala has won the race for the Jinja district chairperson party ticket with 49,515 votes, convincingly beating his sole challenger Abdala Suuta, who got 26,696 votes. The results have been declared by the Jinja district NRM party registrar, Paul Kiwanuka Kabale, at Buwenge sub-county headquarters under tight security in the form of police and army personnel.
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 8:10 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Kangave sails through in Butambala

Umar Murishid Kangave has beaten four contestants to secure the Butambala district chairperson NRM flag for next year's general election.

He has floored his competition, getting 11,716 votes (78%).

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 7:43 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Omolo squeezes past Odaka in Katakwi

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝It has been a case of fine margins in Katakwi district, where Geofrey Omolo has edged Martin Omeedo Odaka for the district chairperson flag in one of the closest races, if not the closest, of these primaries.

Omolo has won with 46,647 votes against Odaka's 46,579 votes. That's a gulf of 68 votes!

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 7:25 PM 

Jinja registrars arrested over results forgery

New Vision's Jackie Nambogga reports:

❝Two sub-county NRM registrars in Jinja have been arrested for allegedly altering results of the LC5 chairperson primary election. This was after the discovery by by district NRM registrar Paul Kabale that results on several declaration forms from different villages were not matching.

The arrested officials are Twaha Isabirye and Paddy Balaba of Butagaya and Buwenge sub-counties, respectively. They were detained at Buwenge sub-county police post and preferred charges of forgery.

Their arrest came shortly after the NRM electoral commission chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, had visited the tally centre at Buwenge sub-county in Jinja district. Odoi said he was on a field tour to assess the progress of Thursday's primaries.

Before heading to neighbouring Mayuge district, Odoi warned against altering of results at the tally centre. He said culprits would be arrested.

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 7:12 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Ongura wins Bukedea district ticket

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝Simon Ongura has secured the Bukedea district chairperson flag for the NRM after being declared winner with with 78,557 (87.5%). He has defeated Rt. Col. Joseph Onange, who polled 11,427 (12.7%). The incumbent, Mary Akol, tapped out of the race two days before the primaries.
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 6:55 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Abibu Buga takes Obongi LC5 flag

New Vision's Adam Gule reports:

❝Khemis Awadi Abibu Buga has been declared winner of the Obongi district chairperson NRM primary election, winning with 10,645 votes against Rashid Khaliki Azabo's 5,821 votes.

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 6:43 PM 

Commercialization of polls worries Musenero

New Vision's Paul Watala reports:

❝Science and technology minister Dr Monica Musenero has expressed concern over what she has termed as increasing commercialization of politics, where money and business interests heavily influence political processes. 

Musenero, who also doubles as Butebo district NRM chairperson, has been monitoring and supervising Thursday's NRM primary elections at local government level in Butebo and neighbouring Budaka district.

"I am worried about the ever increasing commercialization of (...) elections in the country," she says.

The minister has told New Vision that the trend characterized by expensive campaigns, reliance on wealthy donors, and the potential for corruption, undermines democratic principles and the ability of ordinary citizens to participate effectively. 

"The influx of money into politics can distort policy decisions of party leaders and the voters, favour special interests, and make it harder for ordinary citizens to have their voices heard.

"Voter bribery has become so normal and those in the act are never punished," says Musenero.
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 6:30 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Mande wins Busia mayoral flag

New Vision's Egessa Hajusu reports:

❝Hajji Ali Mande has been declared the winner of the NRM Busia Municipality mayoral flagbearer race. He got 3,901 votes against Aisha Kalombo's 2,649 votes.

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 6:20 PM 

Omolo leading in Katakwi

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝James Otilem, the NRM district registrar for Katakwi, has reported the missing of results in five villages in Akoboi sub-county. He has also raised concern over the delay in arrival of results in four sub-counties in Toroma county. By 6pm, results from 16 sub-counties had been tallied and incumbent Geofrey Omolo was leading in nine sub-counties.

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 6:13 PM 

Mbarara candidates call for unity

New Vision's Abdulkarim Ssengendo reports:

❝Candidates who have been battling for the NRM flag in Mbarara city have urged their supporters to remain calm, united and reconcile with each other after these primary elections.

Seth Murari, who contested in the Mbarara city mayoral race and cast his vote at Kafunjo cell in Mbarara city North division, says unity is a great pillar for economic transformation of any community, including Mbarara city.

The city in western Uganda, which is made up of the north an south divisions, has 186 cells where voting took place.

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 5:54 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Rulinda wins Entebbe mayoral ticket

New Vision's Julius Luwemba reports:

❝Fabrice Rulinda has been declared winner of the NRM flag for Entebbe Municipality mayor. He garnered 4,758 votes, beating his challengers Micheal Mutebi Kabwama (1,755 votes ) and Habib Kashiringi (66 votes).

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 5:46 PM 

Registrar arrested in Kibuku

New Vision's Paul Watala reports:

❝In Kibuku district (Bukedi sub-region), Kasasira sub-county NRM registrar has been arrested on allegations that he attempted to alternate the results at the polling station he was manning.

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 5:35 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

9 councillors unopposed in Serere

New Vision's Emmanuel Alomu reports:

❝Five male contestants have been elected unopposed as the NRM flagbearers for the seat of LC5 councillors for Serere district. They are Robert Egadu (Olio sub-county), Titus Okello Emiku (Serere town council), Okwerede (Bugondo sub-county), Nimrod Edweu (Kasilo town council), Robert Okello (Kadungulu sub-county) and David Emokol (Pingire sub-county).

Four female contestants have also secured, unopposed, the NRM tickets for councillor seats. They are Janet Itipe (Atiira sub-county), JC Alupo (Bugondo sub-county), Betty Igitu (Kadungulu town council) and Betty Amoding (Kyere town council).

A generally low voter turnout was registered in some polling stations across the district.
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 5:20 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

16 councillors unopposed in Kwania

New Vision's Solomon Okabo reports:

❝At least 16 district councillors drawn from eight sub-counties in Kwania district have gone unopposed as flagbearers of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Kwania district returning officer Moses Odongo said the election started peacefully, although with a low turnout of voters. He said election of the district chairperson’s flag-bearer was conducted in the 447 polling stations in the district. The election of the district councillors was conducted in only three out of the 11 sub-counties in the district.

According to the NRM election roadmap, a total of 52,000 voters registered to participate in the NRM primaries in Kwania.
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 4:58 PM 

 RESULTS UPDATE 

Opar wins Nebbi mayoral flag

Jackline Opar has been declared winner of the NRM mayoral primary election for Nebbi Municipality.

It was a close one: Opar got 2,878 votes while incumbent Geoffrey Ngiriker polled 2,433.

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 4:40 PM 

'Let's respect the will of the people'

New Vision's Doreen Musingo reports:

NRM electoral commission chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi has officially opened the tallying process for the party's internal elections in Jinja city with a call to electoral officials to read and verify results village by village to ensure transparency and avoid post-election complaints.

While addressing party officials, candidates and agents at the Jinja City Hall tally centre, Odoi emphasized the importance of following a systematic process in reading and verifying results from each village to build trust among all stakeholders.

"This tallying must be open, accurate and transparent. Every declaration form should be read aloud, village by village, with proper verification before announcing totals. That is the only way we can avoid unnecessary petitions and violence," he said.

The tally centre is heavily guarded by security personnel, with candidates vying for various positions under the NRM ticket, their agents, and observers present.

Odoi warned against any attempts to alter figures or sneak in forged declaration forms, adding that any official found guilty of tampering with the results would face disciplinary action.

"This is not the time for shortcuts. We want credible flagbearers who will not be haunted by irregularities. Let us respect the will of the people."
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 4:28 PM 

Stolen register grinds polling in Kiboga village

New Vision's Samuel Mugabi reports:

The elections in Wabitosi village, Kibiga sub-county in Kiboga district were cancelled after the voters register was reportedly 'stolen'.

The register is said to have been grabbed from an electoral commission official by a man identified as Isma Mawejje, who is reportedly a supporter of incumbent Kiboga district chairperson Gerald Nsiiro Kalunda, who is vying for the flag against former district vice-chairperson Moses Ssenjogera. The suspect accused the registrar of allowing people to enter the polling area when they are not in the register. 

But the registrar said he had not verified all the voters in the area since he was to re-read the register after the first reading. "I first read the register so that the voters around could understand whether they are in the register and read the second time as they proceed to the polling area,” he said.

Kiboga NRM registrar Godfrey Yawe said that the office recorded a statement at Police and that suspect Mawejje was being hunted for. He insisted that his registrar was not responsible for the disappearance of the register. 

“We can’t hold elections in Wabitosi since the register has been stolen unless we wait for guidance from our bosses,” said Yawe.

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 4:15 PM 

Re-voting at polling station in Yumbe

New Vision's Adam Gule reports:

❝Voters in Kuji Cell, Bilewu ward in Yumbe town council in Yumbe district were forced to return to the polls after chaos erupted over the initial LC5 chairperson primary election results. 

At exactly 12:10pm, the first round of voting saw former LC5 chairperson Yassin Taban take the lead with 229 votes, while incumbent Abdulmutalib Mahamoud Asiku garnered 125 votes. However, supporters of Asiku challenged the results, claiming that ineligible individuals were allowed to vote, contrary to NRM party guidelines.

What began as a peaceful protest escalated into physical altercations, prompting the intervention of security forces led by resident district commissioner (RDC) Hajji Sulaiman Lubwama Bukya and district police commander Samson. Following an emergency meeting with agents of the candidates and election officials, a decision was reached to hold a re-vote using the official voters register. 

Despite objections from a section of voters, the majority welcomed the move. The re-voting exercise concluded with incumbent Asiku emerging victorious with 62 votes, while his rival Taban secured 52 votes.
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 4:02 PM 

In Katakwi, results arrive at tally centre

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝Vote results have started arriving at the tally centre in Katakwi district. The first results to arrive at 3pm are from Usuk county. The other counties are Ngariam and Toroma.

Below, the NRM chairperson for Katakwi, John Robert Okiror, greeting district registrar James Otilem at the tally centre.

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 3:45 PM 

Security hailed in Jinja

In Jinja district, Harriet Mirembe, a voter at Namwendwa A polling station in Namagera town council, says that although their area is notorious for chaotic scenes during elections, this time around the security operatives have ensured that the exercise has gone on without incident.

In the picture immediately above, a UPDF officer and a Police officer stand on guard as a polling official reads voters' names before accessing Namwendwa A polling station in Namagera town council.
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 3:32 PM 

'Time was managed well in Agago'

New Vision's Christopher Nyeko reports:

❝In Agago district, NRM district administrator Patrick Komakech reported that voting materials were received by 8pm the evening before polling day, were promptly distributed to all sub-counties and town councils, including six villages that had experienced challenges during the recent parliamentary elections.

Agago comprises 26 sub-counties, 117 parishes, and 1,147 villages. The district chairperson race is intense, with five candidates contesting: incumbent Leonard Ojok Opio, Wilson Otto, John Wilfred Ateng Okello, Simon Odoch Ojok and Gertrude Lillian Abalo.
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 3:27 PM 

'Kitgum contestants exchanged friendly greetings'

New Vision's Christopher Nyeko reports:

❝Geoffrey Innocent Nyero, the NRM party administrator for Kitgum district, says polling materials, including voter registers and declaration of resutls (DR) forms, were dispatched on time to various polling stations. 

He says priority was given to remote areas such as Katwotwo and Akurumo parishes in Orom East sub-county, which borders the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions. These areas received polling materials after 2pm during the parliamentary primaries last Thursday.

The race for the Kitgum district chairperson NRM flag is very competitive, with five candidates all eyeing the ticket for next year's general election.

They are: for district chairperson (2011-2016) Luke Nyeko, Eng. Samuel Atochon Odong, Fred Acellam Onencan, Emmanuel Oryema and Tonny Toolit Olenge, who recently crossed over from the opposition FDC party.

On the morning of the elections, all the candidates convened at the district NRM office, which also serves as the tallying center. They exchanged friendly greetings before proceeding to their respective polling stations to vote.
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 3:15 PM 

📍 Update from Nebbi in West Nile

New Vision's Edna Piyic reports:

❝There has been a comparetively lower voter turnout at many polling stations in Nebbi district. Provisional results are showing incumbent George Othuba having the edge over his challengers: Collins Jalacida Orom, Lawrence Ojok Kisa and Kizito Ongan. In the mayoral election, Jackline Opar appears to be leading Geoffrey Ngiriker, the incumbent.

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 3:05 PM 

📍 Situation calm in Moroto

New Vision's Olandason Wanyama reports:

❝The situation remains generally calm in Matheniko county in Moroto district. At several polling stations, the turnout has been very poor.

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 2:50 PM 

📍 Katakwi district update

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝In the eastern district of Katakwi, Thursday's elections started well across the district despite the low turnout of voters. At Ceele polling station, where the incumbent Geofrey Omolo votes from, he beat his challenger, Martin Omeedo Odaka, with 147 votes against two. In Angopet southern ward, Katakwi town council, Omolo got 163 votes against Odaka's 50.

Odaka was previously in opposition party FDC where he unsuccessfully contested for Toroma county MP. He is now hoping to achieve success on his first attempt in a district chairperson flag race.

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 2:43 PM 

Rulinda on course in Entebbe

New Vision's Julius Luwemba reports:

❝Fabrice Rulinda in an early lead in the NRM Entebbe mayoral  race. Other contestants are Micheal Mutebi and Habib Byamukama Kashiringi.

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 2:28 PM 

'I am seeing their posters for the first time'

New Vision's Egessa Hajusu reports:

❝The candidates' failure to campaign in some places has been blamed on the poor turnout in the LC5 NRM primaries in Busia district. Most of the voters who sluggishly turned up claimed some candidates  did not come to their areas to solicit for votes. In some villages, only three of the six candidates were voted for.

“I am seeing some of these candidates' posters for the first time,” said Annet Nabwire at Busitema trading centre polling station.

Florence Nabwire, a voter in Mawanga village, Masafu sub-county, attributed the poor turnout to supporters of the candidates who lost the parliamentary primaries boycotting the exercise. She fears the low turnout could worsen in the coming lower councils' primary elections.

Peter Ouma, a voter in Bulosi village, Busime sub-county, said half of the registered voters appeared for voting. The voters, mainly women, conducted their family chores before going to vote.

Six candidates are vying for the NRM Busia flag: incumbent Stephen Mugeni Wasike, Sam Okumu Mangeni, Geoffrey Wandera, Paul Odongo, John Charles Namayindi, Boniface Paul Oguttu and Kennedy Wandera.
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 2:11 PM 

Low voter turnout in parts of Tororo

New Vision's Faustine Odeke reports:

❝NRM primary elections for Tororo LC5 and councillors has delayed to kick off in most of the villages across Tororo county due to low voter turnout. At most of the polling stations visited, voting had not yet kicked off by 1.30pm due to absence of voters.

Polling officials have been stuck with their registers and polling materials as some of the voters have appeared unbothered in the nearby trading centers.

Paul Omusr, a voter in Amagoro central in Malaba town council, said it was not worth voting for the people who never reached them during the campaign period. Some of the candidates complained that they were not given ample time to campaign in the 42 lower local governments.

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 1:58 PM 

'It has been smooth in Bweyogerere'

New Vision's Alfred Ochwo reports:

❝The NRM primaries for LC5 and mayors in parts of Bweyogerere division in Kira Municipality have gone on smoothly.

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 1:45 PM 

📍 The situation in Serere...

New Vision's Emmanuel Alomu reports:

❝In Serere district, the NRM assistant registrar, Robert Patrick Eyimu, is in charge of today's primary elections after his boss was arrested over election irregularities in last week's parliamentary elections.

Four candidates are vying for district chairperson party flag: former district chairperson Joseph Okojo Opit, Dr Stephen John Onyait, Philip Gonzaga Opolot, and Eng. Martin Onguruco, who previously contested as MP of Serere County and lost on all three attempts. Opit served Serere district chairperson two times before the current one, Stephen Ochola of FDC, replaced him.

Fifteen directly elected male councillors and 12 female councillors will be elected to carry the NRM flag in the 284 polling stations found in 15 sub-counties and town councils in the district.

The number of female councillors is small because Olio sub-county  and Serere town council share one councillor, Pingire sub-county and Kitedok town council as well as Kadungulu sub-county and Kagwara town council also share one councillor each.

Titus Okello has been elected unopposed after the incumbent councillor, Innocent Emaju, surrendered. At Ojeburun polling station in Olio sub-county, Onyait got 370 votes, with Onguruco and Opit each getting one vote. At this polling station, only a few people voted for female councilors as many were seen as spectators. Sarah Grace Adongo got 40 votes against the incumbent Jessica Aito's 53 votes.

Ojeburun polling station registrar Julius Ewayu said voting started late because many votrs were still in their gardens by midday. 

At least four polling stations that New Vision visited had no security personnel deployed although most of them were seen patrolling the district in cars.
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 1:30 PM 

Recalcitrant voters in Kamuli

In the leadup to today's primary elections, NRM electoral commission chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi warned that failure to use the party register today will automatically render the primaries null and void.

"In these LC5 elections, we shall be using party registers. When you do not use the register, the election will be null and void and they shall be cancelled. And any person who claims to be in the register and is not, will not be allowed to vote," he told New Vison in an interview.

But as New Vision's Tom Gwebayanga is reporting, "voters in Kamuli Municipality have rejected registers, saying it is time consuming, and they have forcefully lined up behind candidates".

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 1:03 PM 

Musenero in Butebo to monitor polls

New Vision's Paul Watala reports:

❝Dr Monica Musenero is the Minister of Science and Technology and doubles as the Butebo district NRM chairperson. She has decided to spend her Thurday in Butebo to monitor and supervise today's NRM primaries. She visited Spartan High School in Butebo and Kadenghe Primary School in neighbouring Budaka district.

The voting exercise in Butebo delayed to get under way as most of the voters prioritized garden work before heading to the polling stations. The locals are taking advantage of the current rains in the region.

In Butebo, located in Bukedi sub-region, has Stephen Mutono Omuya, James Okurut and Samuel Keddi contesting for the district chairperson NRM ticket.


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 12:44 PM 

Arua NRM registrar in hot soup

New Vision's Robert Ariaka reports:

❝The NRM registrar for Arua district, Julius Abele, has been arrested for allegedly issuing out declaration of results (DR) forms on the eve of polling day. He was arrested at around 9am and detained at Arua Police Station. He was asked to hand over office to his deputy to allow the election to proceed.
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 12:30 PM 

📍 At Ragem central polling station...

New Vision's Robert Adiga reports:

❝This is Ragem Primary polling station in Ragem cell, Ayivu East in Arua city. There are 375 registered at this polling station but by 12:10pm, no more than 10 people, including candidates agents, were present. Registrar Sylvia Ayirwoth has attributed the low turnout to the negative attitude of the voters as only 41 people showed up to vote during the parliamentary primaries last Thursday.

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 12:23 PM 

In Jinja, Humphrey Mutaasa, Moses Batwala and Abdala Suuta are contesting for the district chairperson NRM flag.

The the ring for the Jinja city mayor ticket features: Wilson Bogere, Jeff Bidendi, Farouk Kitakule, Joan Nangige Machora, David Musenze Isabirye and Abdul Hafidh Nagaya.

Question is: who will take the Jinja flags?  
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 12:15 PM 

📍 At Lubanyi central polling station...

New Vision's Jackie Nambogga reports:

❝Mariam Nanteza, the NRM registrar of Lubanyi central, Namagera town council in Jinja district, says they delayed to deliver voting materials. Unlike in the NRM parliamentary polls, where materials were dispatched on time, this time around, Nanteza says the materials were brought late. She says Lubanyi central polling station in Namagera town council comprises 1,068 NRM voters.

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 12:06 PM 

Late arrival of voting materials in Onzivu 

New Vision's Robert Adiga reports:

❝In Arua city, the NRM registrar of Onzivu ward in Ayivu East Division, Vincent Dakunya, has attribute the delay in getting the election process going to the late release of electoral materials from the NRM division offices. He has just distributed materials to five of the 11 cells in the ward.

Voting materials arrived at the Kumara cell polling station 10 minutes past 11am.

In the Arua city mayoral flagbearer race, incumbent Sam Nyakua Wadri Nyakua is battling for the ticket with former Arua Municipality mayor Isa Kato Afeku, Simon Enatu and and Lawrence Alionzi aka Dangote, who crossed over from the National Unity Platform (NUP) just a few days to the NRM nominations.

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 12:00 PM 

 VOTING TIME 

It's midday and that means it's polling time. Voting will be open until 2pm.

Generally though, there is a low voter turnout compared the numbers we saw during last week's parliamentary primaries.

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 11:45 AM 

Two-horse race in Kikuube 

New Vision's Peter Abaanabasazi reports:

❝The election process for NRM primaries for LC5 in Kikuube district has kicked off in different areas.

John Byaruhanga, the registrar of Buhimba town council, says voting materials that include the party registers and declaration forms were delivered on time. However, he spoke of the low voter turnout, adding that as a result, the baraza did not start at 10am as it should have.

For the district chairperson NRM flag, incumbent Peter Banura is facing off with Samuel Muganzi, who resigned from his job as town clerk.

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 11:30 AM 

In Yumbe, it is a two-way battle between Mutalib Mahamoud Abdul and Yassin Taban for the district chairperson flag. 
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 11:25 AM 

📸 Dispatching poll materials in Yumbe 

In Yumbe district (West Nile sub-region), election officials, including NRM district administrator Adiga Rasul, have been preparing election materials to dispatch them to the different polling stations in Yumbe Town Council.

Take a look:

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 11:12 AM 

Registrars, agents forlorn in Kasese 

New Vision's Samuel Amanyire reports:

❝It's a low turnout of voters in various parts of Kasese district (in Rwenzori sub-region) as only registrars and some candidates' agents are found at several polling stations, including at Rwakingi Catholic Church in Bugoye sub-county.

The Kasese district LC5 NRM flag has attracted five candidates including the incumbent, Eliphaz Bukombi Muhindi. His challengers are Mathina Marisele Bwambale, Johnson Mayora, Benenego Kirere and Ezakiel Osaps.

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 10:50 AM 

Sluggish start in Arua 

New Vision's King Boscofranco reports:

❝In the northern city of Arua, at 10am, NRM registrar Gloria Inzikuru (pictured below) was alone at the polling station for Kasua cell, Pokea ward in Ayivu West division. However, she expressed optimism that voters will eventually show up. Generally, there has been a marked low voter turnout at various polling stations in Arua.

The Arua district chairperson flag is being battled for by: Hope Enyokia, Nackson Adaku, Cosmas Ayikobua, Alfred Okuonzi and Jerry Abejo Candia.

Then, Lawrence Alionzi, Sam Nyakua Wadri, Simon Enatu and Isa Kato Afeku are eyeing the Arua city mayoral NRM ticket.
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 10:36 AM 

Four eye Serere NRM LC5 flag 

Speaking of Serere district, which is located in Teso sub-region, four people are vying for the district chairperson NRM flag: Joseph Okojo Opit, Stephen John Onyait, Philip Gonzaga Opolot and Martin Onguruco.
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 10:25 AM 

Serere NRM registrar arrested and charged 

New Vision's Godfrey Ojore reports:

❝Police in the eastern district of Serere have arrested the NRM registrar for Serere, William Olir, over last week' party parliamentary primary election that some candidates contested. The complaints arose from Peter Ojiit, a candidate in the Pingire county race, and Esther Lucy Achom, who contested for the Serere Woman MP flag.

Olir did not announce the results for Pingire county and instead forwarded them to the NRM electoral commission chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, who on Wednesday declared Philip Oucor as the winner. Olir only declared results for woman MP, announcing incumbent Hellen Adoa the winner, together with Serere county's Emmanuel Omoding.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Police arrested Olir (pictured below) and on Thursday morning he was produced before Serere Grade One Magistrate Edmond Okiror Okwi. He was charged with two counts of forgery and falsification of declaration forms.

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 10:10 AM 

Voting by lining up

So here is how it will work...

▪️ By now (10am), members should have begun gathering at their respective polling venues 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: 

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 10:00 AM 

NRM registrars charged over poll malpractice 

Speaking of which, three NRM administrators have been remanded on charges of engaging in electoral irregularities during last week's NRM parliamentary primaries.

New Vision's Tom Gwebayanga reports:

❝Buyende district NRM administrator David Baliruno and Vincent Matovu (his aide), were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Paul Owino, who to read them charges of forgery and utterance of false document.

The accused denied the charges, before the magistrate remanded them to Buyende Prison until July 28, 2025, when they will appear in court for mention. Baliruno and Matovu were were arrested after an outcry by aggrieved candidates and members of the public, who cited engagement in unprofessional practices at the Buyende tally centre, including alteration of results and hiding of declaration forms in their homes.

In Kamuli district, administrator Godfrey Gwambuga (pictured below) was also sent on remand at Kamuli Main Prison until July 28, 2025  after being charged with forgery, falsification of tally register and conspiracy to commit a felony.

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 9:55 AM 

'Mess up and you will be arrested!'

With the "pollution" of last week's NRM primaries in some areas by "self seekers" — according to NRM party chairman President Yoweri Museveni — still fresh in mind, the party's electoral commission is now even more determined to see a more incident-free round of primary elections today.

Odoi told reporters on the eve of today's polls that "detractors" had tried to hijack the party's internal election process with a view of trying to mess up the exercise.

"These detractors are not our party registrars, but even the candidates that want to win unfairly. We want them to do better this time, keep off the elections and let the elections be for candidates and they should be fair," he said.

"If you are a candidate, know your role and if you are a registrar, also know your role. If you try to mess up the election, you will be picked up by the Police."
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 9:47 AM 

Over 500 eyeing different party tickets

Over 500 contenders will battle for the NRM party flag for LC5 (district chairperson) and mayoral positions. Party election body chief Dr Odoi said seven candidates are unopposed, 30 are eyeing the city mayor slots, seven want the Lord Mayor ticket while 495 are vying for the LC5 position.

Polling will start at 12pm (midday) and end at 2pm.
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 9:38 AM 

Poll will be null and void if ...

In last week's NRM parliamentary primaries, six villages in the northern district of Agago where the party registers (yellow books) were not delivered in time prompted the respective election officials to turn to the village chairpersons to help in physically verifying the eligible voters.

They included 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 had been a mixup of yellow books for the affected villages with the ones for Gulu and Omoro districts. The registers were later delivered to the district, but after voting had ended.

Now, the NRM election hierarchy appears to have drawn lessons from such scenarios, with the party's electoral commission boss, Dr Tanga Odoi, saying failure to use the party register today will automatically render the primaries null and void.

"In these LC5 elections, we shall be using party registers. When you do not use the register, the election will be null and void and they shall be cancelled. And any person who claims to be in the register and is not, will not be allowed to vote," he told New Vison in an interview.
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 9:30 AM 

Good morning!

Kampala's skies have been misty, or should I say foggy, earlier this morning, with minimal visibility in many areas — but the air is clearing by the minute. Usually, I have heard, morning mist/fog is a sign of a sweltering day ahead.

The skies may not have been clear but what's absolutely clear though is that today, Uganda's ruling political party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), is set to conduct primary elections for district chairpersons, municipal mayors and city mayors  across the country. Today's exercise is by universal adult suffrage and will take the form of lining up behind one's preferred candidate.

These primaries come exactly a week after the party's primary elections for parliamentary hopefuls, which saw various contenders secure the party ticket for the 2026 general elections — plus the sort of dramatic developments that typify elections of such a huge scale. There were winners, there were those who conceded defeat and pledged to back the victors for the good of the party, and there were also the aggrieved, some of whom, unsatisfied with the conduct and/or outcome of the results, went ahead to lodge petitions.

Among those who smiled last Thursday is sports state minister and Ngariam county (Katakwi district) MP Peter Ogwang, seen here being lifted by his jubilant supporters upon sensing primary election victory in his constituency.