By John Nkuba | NRM Carder & Political Analyst
As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) prepares for its internal elections slated for tomorrow, growing concerns out of Bulambuli District suggest the area is teetering on the edge of an electoral crisis. Missing electoral materials, allegations of a rigging scheme, and incidents of politically motivated violence have stirred widespread alarm and deepened mistrust in the integrity of the process.
Earlier today, the NRM Electoral Commission began distribution of party registers and voting materials across Uganda. However, in a disturbing development, declaration forms for over 600 villages in Elgon North and Elgon County were reported missing in Bulambuli. These forms are critical for tallying and officially recording results. Their absence severely undermines the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral exercise in the district.
Further escalating the crisis, credible intelligence sources have reported a clandestine meeting held last night at the residence of Hon. Irene Muloni in the senior quarters. The gathering allegedly included high-ranking party officials such as Massa (NRM General Secretary), Hon. Gerald, and Hon. Muloni herself (NRM Treasurer), along with select members of local security agencies. According to the reports, the group allegedly plotted to manipulate election outcomes in favor of specific candidates through the use of state resources and intimidation tactics.
The political atmosphere in Bulambuli has been volatile for weeks. During the recent party structuring process, the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) narrowly survived a violent attack reportedly orchestrated by individuals opposed to his stance on internal party alignments. This incident has cast a shadow over the role of security agencies in ensuring a safe and impartial election environment.
Tensions escalated further yesterday when Mr. Nagimesi, a candidate for the Elgon North Constituency, was assaulted under alleged instructions from the incumbent Member of Parliament. Eyewitnesses claim that despite the public nature of the attack, no action was taken by local law enforcement — a silence that has only intensified suspicions of political bias and complicity.
Disturbingly, the District Registrar, who holds the mandate to oversee a fair election, is accused of openly campaigning for select candidates. In a statement attributed to him during a public confrontation, he reportedly boasted, “I am the god of this election,” raising serious concerns about impartiality and abuse of authority.
Residents across several sub-counties — including Lusha, Bulago, Sot, Buluganya, and Bumasobo — have reported the arrival of groups of non-resident individuals, believed to be hired enforcers and bouncers. Their presence is widely interpreted as an effort to intimidate voters and disrupt the democratic process. Despite these troubling reports, security officials have allegedly refused to act, further deepening fears of institutional breakdown.
With voting set to begin in less than 24 hours, the situation in Bulambuli demands urgent national attention. The convergence of missing election documents, potential voter suppression tactics, and a compromised security apparatus presents a grave threat to the credibility of the NRM’s internal democratic process.
We therefore call upon the following institutions to take immediate and decisive action:
- The NRM Secretariat
- The National Electoral Commission
- Security Agencies
- The Office of the President
It is imperative that investigations are launched, missing materials recovered, and all parties held accountable to ensure a peaceful and credible election. The people of Bulambuli — and indeed Uganda — deserve an electoral process grounded in justice, integrity, and respect for democratic rights.
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