As Nakawa Division prepares to vote in the Local Council III (LC3) elections scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025, a cloud of scandal hangs over the process.
Key leaders in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party have been accused of extortion and election interference, sparking outrage among candidates, voters, and party members.
At the center of the allegations are Kalibala, the District General Secretary, and Otim, the District Vice Chairman, who, according to multiple sources, have been calling LC3 candidates and demanding bribes in exchange for securing their victory.
Another individual identified as Bukenya Gilbert has also been implicated. He reportedly threatened candidates with political sabotage and violence if they refused to pay.
Candidates from several of Nakawa’s 23 parishes claim they received calls from the officials, each promising them a win in the upcoming elections ironically, even when contesting against each other for the same position.
“It shocked me that these same officials called both me and my opponent, promising us both victory each for a fee,” they are demanding between UGX 500,000 to over 1 million, claiming they can influence voters or cause chaos if we refuse,” one candidate who requested anonymity for fear of revenge said.
According to multiple candidates, the officials made veiled threats, warning them that refusal to pay could result in disruptions on Election Day or being framed in fabricated scandals.
The alleged actions have angered not only the candidates but also the wider Nakawa community, who see the developments as a betrayal of democratic principles and party integrity.
“As voters, we feel it is not good for our party leaders to be involved in extortion. They’re promising both candidates victory yet only one person can win,” even if just one candidate was extorted, it’s against the party’s principles and must not go unpunished,” a local resident and NRM voter said.
Insiders within the Nakawa NRM structure admit that complaints have been quietly piling up.
“This is not the first time such behavior has been reported, but this election season its worse. The pressure from above to win has led some local leaders to misuse their influence,” some of them think they are untouchable because of their titles,” an NRM insider revealed.
With the 2026 general elections drawing closer, voters and observers are urging the NRM national executive committee to take swift and transparent action to restore trust in the party and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
“This kind of fraudulent practice not only embarrasses the NRM but also denies voters a free and fair election,” it sends a dangerous signal about how internal party democracy is being manipulated at the grassroots level,” a political analyst in Kampala said.
As of publishing time, no official statement had been released by NRM headquarters regarding the Nakawa allegations.
However, sources close to the party’s secretariat say investigations could be underway.
With just two days to the elections, tension remains high in Nakawa, and many are watching closely to see whether these allegations will be addressed before the ballots are cast.
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