Africa-Press – Uganda. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has called for unity and transparency among National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters, following a series of disputes that marred grassroots elections in Ruhinda North, Mitooma District.
Tayebwa, who returned to his constituency to personally oversee the process, said community disagreements must be resolved locally to uphold the integrity of the party’s internal polls.
“We had some contentious areas. Like this one. I was summoned from my own village to come and sort out the problems. If there are any differences or disagreements, let the local people decide,” he said during one of the barazas.
The village-level elections, part of a broader NRM structure-building exercise, saw a strong turnout in most areas as residents gathered to audit registers and choose local leaders.
However, the process was disrupted in some villages by complaints about irregularities and flawed registration.
Tayebwa moved from one baraza to another—including Rwempungu A, Rwempungu B, Nyamiyaga, and Omukyibare—appealing for calm and consensus-building among voters.
He praised the high levels of participation and enthusiasm but also addressed concerns raised by angry residents, particularly in Omukyibare.
There, voters accused parish registrar Celestine Mujuni, also known as Centenary, of altering nominations.
One of the affected candidates, Jonas Aineamani, said he had applied for the post of NRM Chairperson and signed accordingly, but later found his name listed under Secretary for Finance without consent.
“I was called by Centenary to register. I went and signed as Chairman, number two on the list after Ahimbisibwe Black. But surprisingly, I later found I had been posted as Secretary for Finance. That signature is not mine,” Aineamani told the crowd.
Centenary denied any wrongdoing, insisting that Aineamani had signed the single registration book used for the village. But Tayebwa, after comparing the signatures, sided with Aineamani.
“According to these signatures, they are different. This sign without letter ‘E’ in the name Aineamani is not his,” Tayebwa said, drawing cheers from residents.
The Deputy Speaker also condemned the misclassification of some villagers as military veterans despite having no service history, warning that impersonation would not be tolerated.
“It’s better to leave a position vacant than to fill it with a lie,” he added.
In Nyamiyaga, Tayebwa opted not to cast his vote despite being registered, choosing instead to focus on mediating local disputes.
By 2:30pm, some villages had still not voted as disagreements remained unresolved. Tayebwa announced that harmonisation would begin immediately in affected hotspots.
He further expressed confidence in the party’s mobilisation strength ahead of national elections.
“Whereas others are still struggling to get agents, we already have thirty people per village. We have already won the election. That doesn’t mean we are discouraging others from participating. They can accompany us,” he said.
While several incidents highlighted lapses in the electoral process, Tayebwa reiterated the importance of building consensus and community ownership of the outcomes.
“The people must be the final decision-makers,” he insisted.
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