SIRONKO: Chaos erupts as NRM elections in Minister Nambozo’s village end in violence and cancellation of voting

SIRONKO: Chaos erupts as NRM elections in Minister Nambozo’s village end in violence and cancellation of voting

The election of NRM structures and LC1 flagbearers in Bukomba Cell, Mutufu Town Council, Sironko District, descended into chaos on Monday after residents raised concerns over a new village registrar and the sudden appearance of a new candidate running against State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Florence Nambozo.

Minister Nambozo had earlier declared her interest in contesting for the position of Chairperson Women at the cell level, amid her wider plans to challenge the incumbent NRM District Chairperson, Al-Hajji Lumolo Sulaiman Mafabi.

Tensions flared when a new registrar, Mudali John, was deployed to oversee the elections, and a new candidate, Nalubega Aisha, was reportedly smuggled into the race. Nalubega, allegedly a card-holding member of the opposition FDC party, was listed as a contender against Nambozo something residents strongly opposed, citing irregularities.

Minister Nambozo described the entire process as a sham riddled with irregularities. “As of April 30th, I was the only nominated candidate. Residents were shocked to see a new candidate an FDC member—suddenly appear on the list. To make matters worse, the registrar deployed was not only unfamiliar to the area but is also believed to be affiliated with FDC,” she said.

Local resident Negesa Sara expressed shock over the appointment of a new registrar. “We woke up to a stranger conducting elections in our village. The level of intimidation of election officials is alarming,” she said.

Meanwhile, Esther Nambozo, the original registrar, said she had contacted the town council registrar but received no response. “I was surprised to find I had been replaced without any notice,” she said.

By press time, voting had been suspended, all electoral material destroyed.