NRM electoral commission chairman settles Kamuli dispute

14 May 2025, 22:59

By Ali lukomo

The Chairperson of Uganda’s ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Dr. Tanga Odoi, was forced to rush to Kamuli district to resolve grievances among four powerful politicians who had failed to finalise the village-level elections.

This intervention came at a time when the NRM was conducting internal elections to choose leaders from LC1 to the national level. While complaints of election malpractice were heard across the country, the situation was worse in the Busoga subregion, particularly in Kamuli and Bugabula South, where many politically influential leaders hail from.

Bugabula South is home to four powerful politicians: the incumbent MP Hon. Morris Kibalya, former Minister for Works Hon. Kiyingi Asuman, former Kamuli District Chairman Thomas Ndimukika Kategere, and Mr. Bazaanya Mathias, who is also a strong contender in the constituency.

Tensions escalated when three parishes; Kitayunjwa (home to Hon. Kibalya), Namisambya (where Hon. Kiyingi Asuman originates), and Buganza failed to hold elections due to violent clashes among supporters. The chaos began on May 12, 2025, during parish-level NRM elections and led to physical confrontations, with some individuals hospitalised as a result.

Mr. Thomas Kategere cautioned both community members and political leaders against being manipulated or inciting violence during the electoral process.

Following a closed-door meeting with all the candidates held at the Kamuli district boardroom, Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, announced that the party had reached a compromise to share positions among the conflicting parties in order to prevent further unrest.