By KT Reporter
As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries draw near, with candidates expressing interest and picking nomination forms, the newly elected Katakwi district NRM chairperson, John Robert Okiror, has assured the public and aspiring candidates of free, fair, and peaceful elections, devoid of voter rigging.
His pledge follows recent violence during NRM party elections in Kapujan and Okore sub-counties, which resulted in fatalities and gunshot injuries. Okiror, who was recently elected, emphasized that his administration is committed to uniting and stabilizing party members to ensure nonviolent electioneering—without yielding to monetary influence.
He vowed to uphold integrity and warned that no form of voter bribery or rigging will be tolerated in the upcoming primaries. According to Okiror, Katakwi’s NRM primaries will be free, fair, peaceful, and devoid of rigging. He further reassured voters that even the Amnesty Commission will not shield those found guilty of electoral offenses.
Okiror also condemned the past malpractice in Katakwi’s NRM primaries, which he said were marred by voter manipulation and human rights abuses, including assault and killings. He reaffirmed his call for peaceful and transparent party elections.
Vice President Maj. Rtd. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel also weighed in, urging clan elders to counsel candidates against using malicious propaganda, which she said undermines peaceful political competition. She rallied voters to support peace and emphasized the consequences of division, betrayal, and violence in political processes.
The Vice President also encouraged Katakwi residents to continue supporting the ruling NRM party and called upon members who had defected to other political groups to return and build the party from within. “All opposition parties who wrongly switched should return to the ruling party,” she stated. The NRM party primaries officially commenced on June 2 with the expression of interest stage. The nomination of Members of Parliament will run from June 13th to 16th-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
