Namutumba NRM registrar in trouble over 'fake results' after election cancellation

NAMUTUMBA - Namutumba Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Fredrick Bangu has ordered Police to arrest the district National Resistance Movement (NRM) registrar, Richard Mwanja, over issuing fake results.

Bangu said on Sunday (July 20, 2025) while speaking to New Vision Online that despite NRM elections for Namutumba flag-bearers at various posts being called off, Mwanja had gone ahead to declare various candidates at different intervals, which has caused confusion among supporters.

“So far, he has issued over two declaration forms to different candidates for the Busiki NRM flag-bearer post. This is uncalled for and Police should arrest him to avoid more confusion,” Bangu said.

He explained that earlier, the registrar had held results for over 24 hours, while in hiding, which is against the party procedures and that Mwanja announced the fake results despite the official results cancellation of the party’s primaries by the NRM electoral commission.

The dramatic events unfolded after the suspended elections were linked to reports of massive irregularities like violence.

Earlier, security officials had cancelled voting of NRM flag party flag-bearers for Namutumba after various supporters of different candidates also complained of non-voters allowed to vote at places like Kibaale and Magada polling station.

Bangu explained that while at Basoga Nsadu Technical Institution, the main tally centre for the district, the registrar, Richard Mwanje, failed to announce over the allegations.

“Due to the tension in the area, Police Commissioner Moses Kafeero in Charge of NRM elections Busoga region, together with UPDF. After consultations from NRM headquarters, elections results were cancelled until intervention to be made on Monday (July 21)by Dr Tanga Odoi," he said.

Bangu urged both camps to remain calm as they await for communication from the national office.

By press time, the NRM secretariat in Kampala had not released an official statement on the arrest, but sources within the party confirmed that investigations were underway.

Largely peaceful elections

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) said last week its primaries on July 17, were peaceful across most parts of the country, with isolated incidents of low voter turnout, tension and violence reported in a few areas.

Addressing journalists on July 17, 2025,  at the NRM electoral commission offices in Kampala city, director of information and publicity at the NRM Secretariat, Emmanuel Dombo rated the exercise as “90% successful”.

Earlier, security officials had cancelled voting of NRM flag party flag-bearers for Namutumba after various supporters of different candidates also complained of non-voters allowed to vote at places like Kibaale and Magada polling station. (Credit: Doreen Musingo)

“The voting exercise has been largely calm and peaceful. The Police have done a commendable job and are expected to release a detailed security report in the coming days,” Dombo said.

However, he acknowledged that some areas, including Rukungiri, Sembabule, and parts of western Uganda, experienced heightened tension during the polls.

“We thank the people of Uganda and NRM supporters for conducting the constituency and district Women's MP primaries in a generally peaceful manner,” he said.

The elections were held in over 72,000 villages across Uganda. Reports about a postponement of the polls were dismissed by NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi as false and misleading.

According to the commission’s guidelines, voters were to convene at polling venues by 10:00am for verification.

Voting took place from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm using the lining-up method behind candidates’ posters or agents. After counting, presiding officers were required to publicly announce the results and issue signed declaration forms to candidate agents.

While polling materials were delivered to most centres on time, some areas experienced delays. In one incident on Thursday evening, a female candidate appeared at the commission offices to file a complaint, alleging that NRM registers had not been used during voting in her area.

Over 180 arrested

However, reports reaching New Vision Online indicate that over 180 suspects, including at least four soldiers allegedly deployed illegally to disrupt the primaries, were arrested by security agencies across the country yesterday.

As authorities led by the Police and backed by the army moved to contain election-related violence, especially in the 19 hotspot districts, security was heightened.

The soldiers, whose identities remain undisclosed, were reportedly picked up from the districts of Luuka and Buhweju where their superiors had not deployed them.

Police director of operations Frank Mwesigwa confirmed the arrests during a phone interview with New Vision. Without divulging further specifics, Mwesigwa said the soldiers were arrested over unlawful deployment, which he said violated electoral and military conduct regulations.

He said 68 other suspects had been detained in Busoga East alone, which comprises the districts of Bugiri, Iganga, Mayuge, Namayingo, Namutumba and Bugweri.