Africa-Press – Uganda. Members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Bukoto East constituency, Masaka district, have rejected the party’s directive and declared support for independent candidate Fred Kalema Pax, citing what they describe as “blatant injustice and irregularities” in the recent primaries.
The move follows the NRM electoral tribunal’s decision to uphold the victory of Babirye Kityo, confirming her as the legitimate party flag bearer.
Yet local leaders and party members insist the process was flawed, claiming Kityo manipulated results to her advantage.
During a meeting at Mikoni village in Buwunga sub-county, the aggrieved members, led by local NRM officials, announced they would back Kalema Pax, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Bukomansimbi, who lost in the primaries but is now standing as an independent.
Kalema Pax maintained that he was the rightful winner but was unfairly denied the party ticket.
“I genuinely won the election, but the party betrayed me at the last moment when they declared Babirye Kityo. This was a sham process marred by arrests of my agents, broad daylight vote rigging, and alteration of results,” he said.
He added that the tribunal ignored the evidence he submitted, effectively “rubber-stamping” a fraudulent declaration.
“What hurt me most is that all the evidence I presented was disregarded. We are left with no choice but to move forward as independents,” he said.
The meeting drew several sub-county NRM leaders, including Dirisa Mulindwa, the NRM vice chairperson for Buwunga, who confirmed that grassroots structures would now support Kalema Pax in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
“We are loyal members of NRM, but this time the injustice is too much. The electoral committee failed to address our concerns, so we are left with no option but to support the independent candidate who truly represents the will of the people,” Mulindwa said.
The split in Masaka reflects a broader tension within NRM, as several primary losers nationwide have declared intentions to contest independently in the 2026 general elections.
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