By KT Reporter
The Minister of State for Urbanization and Bukono County MP, Persis Namuganza, has dismissed declaration of results (DR) forms circulating on social media that indicate her opponent, Maganda Katooko, won the recent National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries. Namuganza, who sought to retain the NRM flag for Bukono constituency, lost to Maganda according to the unofficial DR forms, which showed Maganda securing 32,226 votes against her 17,324.
The forms have been widely shared in closed WhatsApp groups and online platforms, prompting heated debate among voters. However, Namuganza has urged the public to disregard the forms, stressing that official communication should come from the NRM Electoral Commission and not social media. “NRM is a structured party. Let us wait for proper channels to pronounce the final outcome,” she said.
The tallying process for Namutumba District was halted last week by the Busoga zonal NRM commander, AIGP Moses Kafeero, who cited irregularities that threatened to spark insecurity. Kafeero announced that all DR forms would be transferred to the NRM headquarters in Kampala for a comprehensive tally. He said this decision was made in consultation with the party’s Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi.
The delay in declaring winners has sparked frustration among voters and candidates alike. Protesters have taken to the streets, burning NRM-branded T-shirts and blocking roads to express dismay over what they see as unnecessary delays. In a related contest, two different DR forms have emerged for Busiki constituency. One shows incumbent Paul Akamba defeating Joel Azalwa with 34,269 votes against 32,315. Another form shows Azalwa as the winner with 35,249 votes against Akamba’s 34,269.
Azalwa says he is uncertain whether to celebrate or remain cautious given the conflicting information. “This kind of election mismanagement has created anxiety among my supporters. I no longer know what to tell them,” he said. Meanwhile, Namuganza claims the events unfolding in Namutumba are part of a broader plot to end her political career. She alleges a witch-hunt orchestrated by powerful individuals within the party, dating back to the failed attempt to censure her from the Cabinet.
She also believes her reconciliation with First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga and support for her CEC bid have attracted internal opposition. Also voicing her frustration is Betty Nakisita, who contested the NRM flag for Namutumba District Woman MP against incumbent Mariam Naigaga. Nakisita alleges a coordinated scheme to undermine genuine winners. “Supporters have camped at the tally center for four days. This delay is draining and disheartening,” she said.
She warned that continued mishandling of the primaries could erode the NRM’s support in Namutumba, a district that backed President Museveni in the last general election, unlike many others in Busoga. NRM district registrar Richard Mwanjja called for calm, saying the issues are being addressed but declined to provide further details. As the wait for official results continues, the fate of several parliamentary hopefuls in Namutumba remains in limbo, with trust in the process increasingly under strain-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
