Africa-Press – Uganda. Confusion has overshadowed ongoing nominations in Ntungamo Municipality after the Electoral Commission (EC) disclosed that several aspirants had been elected under NRM primaries in electoral areas that no longer exist.
The EC in Ntungamo District explained that some areas created in 2020 were later re-demarcated.
This mismatch has left candidates who successfully participated in the recent NRM primaries stranded, as the EC works to reconcile boundaries and determine legally recognized areas for the 2026 elections.
The confusion stems from changes in the population quota used to determine electoral areas. Previously set at 3,000 people, the quota was later increased to 7,000.
Unfortunately, in Ntungamo Municipality, no ward or parish meets this threshold to qualify for the required electoral areas.
“They were following the 2020/2021 general elections, yet we had to demarcate afresh. Most of them were aware, and others didn’t take it seriously until now that they get to know they were following the old system,” said Latif Ngonzi, returning officer of Ntungamo District Electoral Commission.
“We are going to nominate people according to the electoral areas we have. If the party decides to nominate more than what we have, we shall still follow electoral areas which are officially gazetted.”
The boundary issues caused delays and stress among candidates. Jenifer Sentongo, representing Muko Ward in Western Division, recounted: “Yesterday we had issues with cells divided, and we had to go back home, then return today to first sort out these issues.”
Joventa Korukundo, a woman councillor from Kikoni Ward III, described the tense situation:
“Yesterday was the worst and we were very stressed thinking about who is to surrender the flag in our electoral areas, but today we see light.”
Meanwhile, two candidates have so far been nominated for the mayoral seat in Ntungamo Municipality by the EC: Jaka Jex Kafureeka, the NRM flag bearer and incumbent, and Hajji Hakim Muhekyi Rwomushana, an independent aspirant.
These two are part of the many candidates nominated yesterday and today as the exercise continues.
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