NRM Receives 57 Petitions From LC1 Primaries — Tanga Odoi

The Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission, Dr. Tanga Odoi, has revealed that the party received 57 election petitions arising from the recently concluded Local Council One (LC1) elections for party structures.

Addressing journalists on Monday during a press briefing about the ongoing parish-level elections within the party, Dr. Tanga disclosed that the petitions followed the elections held on May 6, 2025. He noted that the majority of the petitions have already been concluded, with only three still pending. 

These include complaints brought by Theodore Ssekikubo, Member of Parliament for Lwemiyaga in Ssembabule District; Caleb Tumwesigyire from Kanungu; and Asuman Kiyingi, who raised concerns about the parish elections in Kamuli District.

According to Dr. Tanga, investigations confirmed that in Kamuli, delegates were allegedly taken and hidden in a primary school in Kayunga District, leading to the cancellation of the elections in that area until the petition, currently before NRM lawyers, is determined. He warned that parties found culpable of election offenses risk disqualification from the race.

In related developments, Dr. Tanga indicated that six villages did not vote due to internal factionalism, often referred to as “camp politics.” One of the affected areas was in Irongo Sub-county, Luuka District, where former Minister for the Presidency, Esther Mbayo, was among the candidates. The elections in these six villages were marred by violence and voter intimidation.

Dr. Tanga also noted that the Village Baraza exercise was a huge success, with tentative figures indicating that the audit recommended the deletion of a total of 958,336 entries. He confirmed that elections were successfully held in over 72,000 villages nationwide, except for a few that did not vote. 

Among the areas affected were Kagworopu Village in Lokoma Parish, Losidik Sub-county in Amudat District; Iganga B Village in Irongo Parish, Irongo Sub-county in Luuka District; and Kisagazi B Village in Meru Parish, Nyabitanga Sub-county in Ssembabule District. Additionally, demarcation conflicts were reported in areas like Nyakahanga A Village in Nyabushenyi Parish, Nyarushanje Sub-county, Rukungiri District, where residents wished to vote under a different parish. 

Meanwhile, the NRM Party today conducted the election of Parish leaders (flag bearers). This was a college election, with only eligible members of the electoral college allowed to contest and vote at the parish level. Expression of interest, nominations, campaigns, and polling all took place on the same day, and Dr. Tanga clarified that nominations were free of charge.