Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party is facing growing internal turmoil in Mpigi District after the party’s district registrar controversially announced the runner-up as the winner in the primaries for next year’s LCV chairperson seat.
David Kyeyune, who won the most votes—13,626, more than double that of his closest challenger—was denied victory. Instead, district registrar Henry Bbuye declared Mansoor Muluya, who received 5,979 votes, as the official party flag bearer.
The announcement has triggered outrage, with Kyeyune and his supporters accusing the party of electoral malpractice and staging protests to demand accountability.
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“This is total madness,” Kyeyune told reporters shortly after the results were released. “Why organise an election if you already had a preferred candidate? I won by over 10,000 votes—it’s shameful.”
Registrar Bbuye defended his decision, saying Kyeyune had formally withdrawn from the race prior to the polls. “He submitted a withdrawal letter after reaching an agreement with another candidate backed by the district leadership,” Bbuye claimed. “I was surprised to see him participate again.”
However, NRM District Chairperson Sulaiman Kaweesi alleged that powerful individuals within the party had attempted to influence the outcome. “There was pressure from someone who thinks she’s above the party. She wanted Kyeyune declared winner,” he said. “We’re grateful the registrar resisted.”
The fallout has heightened tensions in Mpigi, where heavy police presence was deployed at the tally centre amid fears of violence. District Police Commander Robert Kuzara was seen monitoring the situation closely.
While Muluya celebrated the outcome, insisting he had been unopposed following Kyeyune’s alleged withdrawal, critics argue the process lacked transparency and fairness.
Observers warn the incident could deepen internal divisions within the NRM in central Uganda. As of Friday evening, the party’s national leadership had not issued an official statement, though legal action from Kyeyune’s camp is expected.
The Mpigi controversy adds to growing concerns over the integrity of the NRM’s internal electoral processes ahead of the 2026 general elections.
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