Ugandan authorities have arrested 90 people following outbreaks of NRM primaries violence across multiple districts. Police spokesperson Mr. Kituuma Rusoke confirmed the detentions, stating that while voting remained peaceful in most areas, security incidents disrupted elections in regions like Kamuli, Isingiro, Rukungiri, Zombo, Paidah, Dokolo, and Gulu.
In Gulu City, police responded to unrest using teargas and warning shots to disperse supporters of Bosmic Otim. The group tried to storm the Kaunda Grounds tally centre, alleging that election results were manipulated to favour Martin Ojara Mapenduzi. Tensions rose when an agent reportedly leaked images of a results screen claiming Mr. Ojara had won. Other candidates in the hotly contested Bardege-Layibi Division race included Denis Okello Oweka, Roy Olal, and Oryema Robinson Ogeri.
At around 4:50pm, soldiers and police blocked Otim’s supporters from accessing the tally centre. The crowd retaliated with stones, damaging a car belonging to NRM electoral commissioner Zaitun Driwaru. Earlier at Green Valley polling station, violence erupted when Oryema ordered his supporters to skip verification procedures. Police used water cannons to control the situation. More commotion followed when he told his supporters to align behind Mr. Otim instead of himself. Despite the unrest, Mr. Otim won that polling station with 199 votes, while Mr. Ojara received just 23.
Ms. Driwaru, overseeing elections in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions, expressed regret over the incidents. She said candidates illegally ferried unregistered voters to polling stations, inciting disorder. “Many voters were drunk, aggressive, and unfamiliar with polling sites, which triggered chaos,” she explained. Six candidates have already been disqualified for campaign misconduct. The NRM electoral body promised stricter enforcement of internal laws to preserve order.
In Adjumani District, police detained seven members of Dulu Angel Mark’s campaign team after voter bribery allegations surfaced. Although no money or tampered registers were found, police acted on credible reports. Meanwhile, in Ukusijoni Sub-county, an arson attack destroyed the home of Gen Moses Ali’s supporter, Simon Mate. “I heard unusual noises and saw flames. Thankfully, I slept outside due to earlier threats,” Mate said.
In Koboko Municipality, police arrested a man allegedly carrying a bow and arrow to intimidate voters. In Arua City, army and police quelled a near-riot at Tanganyika Ward, pausing the vote for one hour.
The NRM Secretariat admitted poor turnout in Kampala. A Daily Monitor survey across five divisions found several polling stations deserted for hours. At Bat Valley, polling officers waited until noon without seeing a single voter. Even campaign agents failed to appear.
Mr. Salim Uhuru, Kampala’s NRM Chairman, blamed the turnout on weak grassroots mobilisation. “Many voters were working. We must strengthen our mobilisation strategy,” he said. Another party official noted that people prioritized earning a living over party primaries.
Emmanuel Dombo, the NRM Secretariat spokesperson, acknowledged logistical gaps but praised the overall calmness of the vote compared to previous cycles. “We’ve begun collecting field reports. In some places, voters used registers. Elsewhere, familiarity replaced documentation,” he said.
Despite progress in most areas, the spate of violence, fraud, and voter apathy in the NRM primaries violence saga shows Uganda’s ruling party still faces deep-rooted electoral challenges ahead of the 2026 general elections.
READ: Violence Erupts During NRM Primaries in Eastern Uganda
