Chaos ensued Tuesday afternoon at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds after voters at the National Delegates Conference demanded to cast their ballots for the Entrepreneurs League despite the party’s suspension of the process.
The delegates — many of them celebrated businessmen from Kampala and other towns — confronted NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, demanding an explanation for why they were unable to vote, even though they had camped in the city since Monday expecting the elections to commence.
The angry delegates, most of them declaring support for businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, shouted on top of their voices, insisting the elections had to proceed without any further delays.
Todwong tried to calm the crowd but was repeatedly drowned out. At one point, women were overheard saying their husbands were complaining about not returning home as earlier promised.
Matters escalated when the delegates surrounded the Secretary General in the VVIP tent. Security personnel intervened, dispersing the crowd and evacuating Todwong. Even after being removed, the charged voters followed him toward the President’s tent, demanding answers.
Todwong later appeared on the stage leading toward the Ministers’ tent, visibly helpless, as media and other crowds were blocked from approaching him. //Cue in: “Whistles blowing
The chaos comes a day after the NRM suspended elections for both its Entrepreneurs League and the Diaspora League following a directive from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the party chairman.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi explained that he sought guidance from the party chairman after allegations of malpractice marred preparations at Kololo. The suspension was announced amid escalating tensions between candidates.
On Monday night, Presidential Advisor and businessman Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba clashed with fellow contender King Ceasor Mulenga, with both accusing each other of ferrying ineligible voters. Each camp alleged that large groups of delegates were being smuggled into the election process, while others were reportedly hidden in neighboring countries to obstruct rival camps.
Before the suspension, candidates Phillip Kakuru and King Ceasor Mulenga — joined by Sanjay Tana, Mukesh Shukla, and Edison Ruyondo — petitioned the NRM Electoral Commission, calling the process “engineered and fraudulent.” They cited irregularities including forged accreditation cards, delegates lacking national IDs, missing names from the official register, and voter cards allegedly distributed at a private venue owned by one of the aspirants.
The candidates warned that proceeding under such conditions would “undermine the democratic values of the party and invite public ridicule.”
During the NEC meeting at State House over the weekend, President Museveni cautioned party members against “playing with fire,” citing past electoral malpractice that destroyed the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). He directed that the Entrepreneurs and Diaspora League elections be suspended until investigations are complete.
It was against this backdrop that the delegates turned chaotic on Tuesday, demanding to vote in defiance of the suspension.
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