Africa-Press – Uganda. After more than 20 hours of tense vote tallying, Agnes Kirabo was on Friday evening declared the winner of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries for the Luweero District Woman MP seat.
The announcement, delayed by chaotic disputes and mutual allegations of electoral malpractice, has sparked deep divisions within the party.
According to official results released by NRM District Registrar Osuman Lubega Basajjanakku, Kirabo secured 31,779 votes (51%), narrowly defeating 2021 flag bearer Cissy Mulondo, who garnered 28,443 votes (46%).
Jackline Suubi received 1,220 votes (2%), while Faridah Nakalawa trailed with 896 votes (1%).
The vote tallying process was marred by turmoil, with both Kirabo and Mulondo accusing each other of rigging and colluding with district officials.
Mulondo alleged widespread vote manipulation in Nyimbwa Subcounty, claiming that Kirabo had rigged results in Katikamu South.
In turn, Kirabo accused Mulondo of colluding with local election officials in Kikyusa Subcounty—Mulondo’s home area—to alter results in her favour.
The impasse was only broken after former Minister Daudi Migereko, the NRM’s Commissioner and Supervisor for Greater Luweero, stepped in to mediate between the two camps.
Despite the final declaration, Mulondo has refused to concede defeat.
Addressing supporters in Wabusaana Village, Kikyusa Subcounty, she criticized the NRM’s electoral process and confirmed she will stand as an independent in the 2026 general elections.
“There were many irregularities. They tampered with the register, especially in Bamunanika. In Wabusaana, the old register had over 900 voters, but the new one had only 486,” Mulondo said, adding that some polling stations where violence disrupted voting still returned high vote counts for Kirabo.
Declaring that she no longer trusted the party process, Mulondo unveiled a new campaign symbol—a clock—and pledged to return to the race on her own terms.
The contested result has raised fresh concerns about the cohesion of the NRM in Luweero, a district that has long been a political stronghold of the ruling party.
Local leaders are now urging for reconciliation to avoid damaging internal rifts ahead of the 2026 elections.
District NRM Chairperson Sam Buchanan called on the party leadership to urgently address complaints surrounding the voter register, warning that several villages may have been disenfranchised.
Luweero Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Richard Bwabye Ntulume also weighed in, stressing the need for unity within party ranks.
“NRM must resolve these grievances internally and build a stronger front. The division only weakens us,” he said.
As the dust settles from a bitterly fought primary, the NRM faces a crucial test of its internal discipline and ability to rally behind its flag bearers in what promises to be a heated general election season.
Kirabo, a first-time contender and current Youth MP for Buganda Region, now heads into 2026 with both momentum and controversy at her back.
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
