Africa-Press – Uganda. Former Minister and Busoga political kingpin Daudi Migereko has called for calm and non-violence during the NRM sub-county structures elections, urging candidates to guide their supporters and promote peace.
“Our main concern was and remains to get violence out of these elections,” Migereko said.
“Our politics shouldn’t be guided by bloodshed. Candidates must control their supporters and not be hell-bent on positions.”
He also challenged the media to avoid speculative reporting and instead highlight constructive elements of the election process.
He warned that negative coverage could fuel tensions, stir chaos, and sow long-term community hatred.
“Media should help prevent elections from degenerating into turbulence and ensure people continue living peacefully even after the exercise,” he said.
Meanwhile, former State Minister for Works and current chairperson of the Leadership Tribunal, Asuman Kiyingi, has strongly denied reports that he lost in the Bugabula South NRM grassroots elections.
“There’s no way I could lose an election I didn’t participate in, nor could I compete with a condemned team I had already exposed and petitioned,” Kiyingi said in a WhatsApp message responding to a local newspaper article.
The report had suggested that Kiyingi had been defeated in an election mediated by NRM’s Electoral Commission chairman Tanga Odoi, which eventually broke down.
Kiyingi claimed that the opposing candidate, Mr Bazanya, should have been disqualified following a petition filed by one Juma Miti.
“How can I lose an election I didn’t contest unless someone has been paid to tarnish my name?” he questioned.
According to Kiyingi, the petition raised serious concerns including allegations of violence linked to Bazanya’s campaign, such as “trademark lorries of panga-wielding men injuring people.”
These claims, he said, were handled by the NRM Electoral Commission in Kampala and led to a resolution meeting in Kamuli, where Bazanya reportedly pleaded for leniency.
Kiyingi explained that the final outcome was a consensus decision to adopt a harmonious, unifying approach, announced by Tanga Odoi.
“His compromised, condemned team couldn’t judge me—the very person who exposed them. My peaceful approach saved Namisambya Parish from those sickening, stupid fights,” Kiyingi added.
Commenting on the unfolding events, Kamuli district leader Thomas Kategere advised aspirants to avoid getting caught up in the manipulations of political opponents.
“Let’s not become their publicity mobilizers. Each time we attack him, we only boost his visibility and play into his strategy,” Kategere cautioned.
He acknowledged that while there were calls to disqualify the candidate in question, the team opted for a more tactical decision to defuse tensions.
“It would have been a grave political blunder to disqualify him. That’s why we tactfully let him slip through.”
Kategere also warned against exposing internal divisions during the preliminary stages of party organization.
“Let’s not exhaust or divide ourselves now—the opposition is waiting to take advantage of any disgruntled supporter.”
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