The Namutumba Woman MP, Mariam Naigaga has praised the NRM Electoral Commission for what she described as a successful and well-managed electoral process.
Naigaga, incumbent, was declared the winner after securing 76,035 votes against competitors Catherine Kawandeke (1,184 votes), Betty Nakisita (64,497 votes), Aisha Esther Watongola (12,219 votes), and Brenda Bangi (3,511 votes).
She urged her opponents to accept defeat, channel their grievances through the NRM Disputes Tribunal, and work toward party unity, emphasizing the NRM’s strong support for President Museveni.
However, Naigaga’s victory has been heavily contested, with allegations of electoral irregularities and rigging, particularly in Kibaale Sub-county.
Betty Nakisita, a key contender, claimed she garnered 68,319 votes (with an additional claim of 52,213 votes in some reports), disputing the official results held by district registrar Richard Mwanja.
Nakisita alleged that her agents were chased away and beaten in Kibaale Sub-county, preventing them from obtaining declaration forms, and that results from this sub-county were initially disqualified due to irregularities but later included to favor Naigaga.
Aisha Esther Watongola, another candidate, echoed these concerns, describing the process as unfair due to rigging and manipulation by NRM registrars, particularly in Kibaale sub-county, where she claimed implausible vote counts.
Watongola criticized the NRM’s electoral management and advocated for a return to a ballot box system to ensure fairness.
The controversy extends beyond the Woman MP race.
State Minister for Urban Development Persis Namuganza, who contested the Bukono County NRM flag, has threatened to quit the NRM and run as an independent in 2026, alleging that she and Nakisita were unfairly denied victories due to interference by senior party officials, including Speaker Anita Among and NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi.
Mwanja’s actions have drawn significant scrutiny. He initially canceled Kibaale Sub-county results due to irregularities, including the arrest of Bukono aspirant Emmanuel Maganda for allegedly altering declaration forms.
However, he later included these results under instructions from Tanga Odoi, sparking further outrage. In the Busiki Constituency, Mwanja’s reversal of Paul Akamba’s initial victory to declare Joel Azalwa Waiswa the winner added to the confusion, with reports suggesting he issued multiple declaration forms, violating party procedures.
The NRM has received at least 97 petitions nationwide over the primaries, with many citing altered results and registrar misconduct. Namutumba District Police Commander Bashir Siriba escorted tally results to Kampala for verification, urging calm among protesters.
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