By KT Reporter
The National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has ordered the suspension of elections for both the Entrepreneurs League and the Diaspora League, following widespread allegations of voter fraud, forgery, and electoral malpractice.
According to the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, the suspension came after he sought guidance from the party chairman amid growing tensions among candidates at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where the elections were scheduled to take place alongside other league votes.
The process on Monday night turned chaotic after Presidential Advisor and businessman Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba and fellow contender King Ceasor Mulenga publicly clashed, accusing each other of ferrying ineligible voters into the venue. Both camps alleged that groups of delegates had been smuggled into the process, with some reportedly kept in neighbouring countries to obstruct access by rival candidates. Before the suspension, candidates Phillip Kakuru and King Ceasor Mulenga addressed a press conference where they revealed that they had petitioned the NRM Electoral Commission over what they called an engineered and fraudulent electoral process.
Their petition, co-signed by other candidates including Sanjay Tana, Mukesh Shukla, and Edison Ruyondo, highlighted multiple irregularities. These included forged accreditation cards, delegates without national IDs, missing names on the official Entrepreneurs League register, and restricted access to voters allegedly relocated outside Uganda.
The petitioners further noted that the number of people at Kololo far exceeded the expected voter register, a clear indicator of manipulation. They also cited the distribution of delegate cards at a private venue, the Botanical Gardens, reportedly owned by one of the candidates, raising more questions about credibility.
In their joint statement, they demanded suspension of the elections until investigations are conducted, warning that proceeding would undermine the party’s democratic values and expose it to public ridicule. Over the weekend, during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at State House, President Museveni condemned acts of delegate manipulation, warning party members against “playing with fire.” He referenced past electoral mismanagement that led to the collapse of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
Following NEC deliberations and consultations with Dr. Odoi, Museveni directed that the Entrepreneurs and Diaspora League elections be suspended until further notice, pending investigations and party guidance. Speaking to the media, Dr. Odoi confirmed the suspension, saying the Chairman’s directive would be respected to preserve party unity and credibility. “We shall not proceed with these elections until the party chairman advises otherwise,” said Dr. Odoi. Sources revealed that immediately after the suspension, all candidates were summoned to State House Nakasero to present their grievances.
Candidate Mukesh Shukla expressed disappointment, saying the Delegates Conference was poorly organised and lacked due diligence during nominations. “Entrepreneurship is purely about time and money, and they have wasted our time tonight,” he said. On his part, Sanjay Tana said they had earlier warned about one candidate hiding delegates in Kenya, Dar es Salaam, and the islands, as far back as August 17, 2025, but no action was taken. He also decried the denial of accreditation tags to delegates from Tororo and Mbarara City, who he claimed were his supporters.
Candidate Phillip Kakuru accused one contender of capturing the party machinery and bending rules in his favour, including receiving delegate tags delivered to his hotel instead of the party premises.
Kakuru said he stands by the NRM principles of patriotism and democracy, and urged reforms to safeguard the integrity of the party. Meanwhile, Dr. Odoi also postponed the National Youth elections to Wednesday at 10am. The elections will include the NRM flag bearer for National Youth MP, the Chairperson of the NRM Youth League, and regional vice chairpersons.
Earlier, the youth elections could not take place due to confusion over delegates’ lists, disagreements, congestion, and the absence of six out of nine candidates. The suspension of the Entrepreneurs and Diaspora League elections has now cast uncertainty over their future, as the NRM grapples with internal divisions while preparing for the 2026 general elections.
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