NRM chair warns against disrupting mayor, LCV elections

23 July 2025, 6:25 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party Electoral Commission has issued a stern warning to individuals planning to disrupt tomorrow’s elections for Mayor and Local Council V (LCV) seats. Addressing journalists at the party headquarters today, the Chairperson assured party members and the public that he remains fully in charge of the commission’s work.

He confirmed that all voting materials for tomorrow’s exercise have been prepared and successfully delivered to the respective polling areas. He also announced that the postponed Kapchorwa parliamentary elections will now take place on July 31, 2025.

President Yoweri Museveni, who also serves as the NRM party chairman, emphasized that the party has mechanisms in place to handle complaints arising from the primaries. He revealed that a tribunal, composed of lawyers, will oversee petitions from aggrieved members.

“You saw my messages regarding the glorious NRM primaries that were nevertheless polluted by mistakes committed by self-seekers. The mistakes included altering results, bribery, and interference with registers. These actions were criminal and distorted the politics and the law of elections,” Museveni said.

He noted that security agencies such as the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) have already arrested and charged individuals involved in electoral fraud.

“What remains are the political and legal aspects. What happens to the flag bearers who were fraudulently declared? Why doesn’t Tanga Odoi change and announce the proper results? Remember, the voting was by lining up during the day and everybody saw the results. How does anybody change that, other than making oneself a fool?” Museveni asked.

He added that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Tanga Odoi, should not handle the petitions himself. “Our lawyers have advised that Tanga Odoi cannot be the one who corrects a mistake he made. It is the lawyers’ committee, the Tribunal, that will deal with the politics and the law. They will be guided by the same facts that guided ISO and CID in arresting the criminals and charging them. Therefore, those affected should know that their grievances are already being addressed. Everything will be rectified. It is just the facts and evidence that will conclude the matter,” Museveni said.

Meanwhile, aspiring Lord Mayor and NRM flag bearer Muhammad Sendagire expressed confidence ahead of the vote.

“I want to thank the Electoral Commission of the party, led by Dr. Tanga Odoi, for organizing the elections. I am confident that the people of Kampala are going to vote for me. The people of Kampala deserve someone who can approach the president for better service delivery,” Sendagire told journalists.

Other candidates contesting for the same position include Mayambala Yosamu and Thadeous Musoke Nagenda, among others.

Dr. Tanga Odoi also addressed concerns about the recently arrested Electoral Commission members, stating that they would be released if found innocent.