Africa-Press – Uganda. Tensions flared and violence erupted in Mbarara City North Division on Monday during the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) structure elections after Aaron Kanyikirize was prematurely declared winner of the NRM chairperson seat before all votes were counted.
Supporters of his rival, Mukasa Kamwebaze, immediately protested the announcement, accusing election officials of electoral fraud, vote rigging, and political interference.
The situation quickly spiraled into chaos at the polling centre, with clashes breaking out and accusations flying, particularly against officials allegedly aligned with the Mbarara City North Division Mayor, Kyabwisho.
“The line for Mukasa was extra long and his competitor’s line was short, yet they declared Aaron the winner,” said one visibly frustrated voter.
“In Aaron’s team, there were many who were not even supposed to vote.”
The uproar escalated after reports emerged that a local council (LC1) chairperson, believed to be ineligible, had participated in the vote—further undermining the credibility of the election process.
“Mukasa had won this vote,” said voter Ibrahim Ruhinda.
“We want elections that are fair. We don’t want the mayor to interfere in elections for the NRM chairperson.”
The rivalry between Mukasa and Kanyikirize—both NRM members—has deeply divided the party’s grassroots base in the division.
The registrar for Mbarara City warned that the escalating disputes risk damaging the party’s image.
“Mukasa and Aaron are in the same party. Our goal should be to protect the vote, not tear each other apart,” the registrar said.
“These camps are a burden and are creating a bad image for the party. If we don’t agree, we are breaking the party and giving room to the opposition.”
In a scathing statement, Mukasa accused electoral officials of blatant manipulation.
“All the registers were bribed. We’ve repeated this election twice and I’ve defeated that man both times. The public can testify. Yet the same officials keep declaring him the winner. The one counting the votes was skipping digits in broad daylight,” he alleged.
Deo, the councillor representing the elderly in Mbarara City North, also condemned the exercise, calling for electoral reforms within the NRM and urging President Museveni to consider introducing secret ballot voting to prevent future conflicts.
“This election was rigged and the results were reversed in favor of one candidate,” Deo said. “I recommend the President to allow us to hold secret ballot elections going forward to avoid such chaos.”
Despite repeated protests and open dissent from Mukasa’s camp, the NRM electoral officials officially declared Aaron Kanyikirize the winner by day’s end, further deepening divisions within the party’s local structures.
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
