Persis Namuganza, the minister of State for Urban Development, has announced her decision to run as an independent candidate for Bukono Constituency in the 2026 general elections, following allegations of widespread irregularities in the NRM primaries.
Namuganza claims the NRM electoral process was marred by fraud, manipulation, and a lack of transparency, particularly in Kibaale Sub-county, where violence, arrests, and destruction of election materials were reported.
She accused the NRM Electoral Commission of halting the election process without properly tallying results, causing confusion and disputes.
“Due to the recent confusion at the NRM primaries in Namutumba district, where I was also affected as an aspiring candidate for Bukono constituency, I have decided to run as an independent candidate instead of running on the NRM party ticket,” she said.
Namuganza dismissed declaration forms circulating on social media, which suggested her opponent Emmanuel Maganda Katoko won with 32,226 votes against her 17,324, urging supporters to disregard them as not credible.
She further alleged that senior NRM figures, including Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and Tanga Odoi, orchestrated the irregularities to favor certain candidates, undermining the will of voters.
Namuganza claimed that local election officials and security forces followed orders from these leaders, accusing the so-called “Team Mulamu” of weakening the NRM’s strongholds in the Busoga sub-region.
“I will come independent, just like I have done many times. The voters will decide again, but I know I will still win,” she said.
The NRM Electoral Commission, through Commissioner Zatuni Driwaru, instructed aggrieved candidates, including Namuganza, to submit written petitions to the legal department within five working days, promising to review them and take appropriate action, which could include disqualifying candidates or awarding victories.
Namutumba’s NRM registrar, Richard Mwanja, faced accusations from Namuganza and her supporters of mismanaging the election and engaging in electoral malpractice. Mwanja maintained the process was fair, despite backlash after reversing the Busiki Constituency results, initially declaring Paul Akamba the winner before awarding the flag to Joel Waiswa Azalwa.
Namuganza’s allegations sparked protests in Namutumba, with supporters blocking roads and burning NRM T-shirts to express anger over the disputed results. P
With at least 89 petitions filed over primary disputes as of July 21, 2025, Namuganza’s decision to run independently could inspire other candidates to break ranks, potentially weakening the NRM’s cohesion in Busoga.
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