Irregularities, voilence mar NRM village elections in Kabale

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s village elections in Kabale municipality have been disrupted by widespread electoral irregularities and chaos at multiple polling stations.

In the Northern Division’s Bugongi Road polling station, LC1 chairman contestant Darius Hafasha, popularly known as Mufasha, protested his disqualification after officials declared his rival, Eric Karemeera, unopposed.

Hafasha claimed he had fulfilled all requirements but was shocked to find his name missing from the candidate list. Karemeera, however, defended the outcome, saying polling officials disqualified Hafasha for not being a registered NRM member.

At the Central East polling station in Central Division, voting was halted following a confrontation between supporters of LC1 chairperson candidates Francis Byamukama Ntemere and Immaculate Mbabazi.

*Eric Karemeera (in black suit) and his supporters celebrate his victory*

Tensions flared when Mbabazi’s agents began mobilizing members to queue and vote before polling officials gave the green light. Byamukama’s supporters protested, accusing officials of bias.

The standoff forced security officers, led by Gilbert Mwebembezi, to cancel the exercise and order fresh voter verification. In Rushambya Cell, Kirigime Ward, Southern Division, elections were suspended by Kabale resident district commissioner Godfrey Nyakahuma after supporters of Salim Owoyesiga protested his absence from the register.

The situation led to Rev David Rurihoona being declared unopposed, sparking outrage from Owoyesiga’s camp. Similar chaos erupted in Central-Central village, Central Division, where the contest between Pamella Byensi and Drlison Kyampeire was marred by disagreements over the voters’ register.

Kabale assistant RDC Chris Turyomurugyendo intervened and halted the elections, ordering a fresh verification of members. Meanwhile, in Kasese district, police arrested Moris Kithenge Masereka, 41, the NRM party registrar for Ibanda-Kyanya Town Council, over the alleged disappearance of 15 voter register books.

According to Rwenzori East police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime, the arrest followed complaints from party members. Tumushime urged the public to work closely with security agencies to prevent violence during the election process.

The reported incidents highlight deep-rooted concerns about transparency, voter verification, and party membership integrity during the NRM’s internal electoral process.