Chaos and confusion have engulfed Sironko District following allegations of irregularities in the National Resistance Movement primaries.
Nakayenze Dorroth Tabitha, a former candidate for Budadiri West Constituency, has petitioned the party headquarters, citing electoral malpractice. The July 17 elections were allegedly marred by several irregularities, including denial of access to declaration forms, vote manipulation, and unofficial result submissions.
Specifically, appointed agents for candidates were not allowed to sign the declaration of results forms, and copies of the forms were not given to the candidates or their agents.
Furthermore, registrars allegedly allocated votes to preferred candidate Isaac Masanga based on directives from District Chairperson Hajji Lumolo Mafabi. In some areas, presiding officers wrote results on pieces of paper for submission to the sub-county for tallying, contrary to guidelines that the presiding officer is expected to record the number of votes for each candidate on a declaration of results form.
The petition highlights discrepancies in voter turnout and results, notably in Bukhulo and Mafudu Town Council. In Bukhulo, registered voters totaled 5,770, yet declared results showed Isaac Masanga with 6,548 votes and others with 33 votes, totaling 6,581 votes. Similarly, in Mafudu Town Council, registered voters were 2,760, but declared results showed Isaac Masanga with 3,358 votes and others with 55 votes, exceeding registered voters by 653.
In a related incident, an NRM registrar in Sironko was arrested for alleged election malpractice in May 2025, highlighting ongoing concerns about the party’s electoral process and the integrity of the district leadership.
Dorothy is seeking a reservatory order, fearing her voters were denied their constitutional rights. This controversy comes amid reports of electoral malpractices in other districts, including Kapchorwa, where elections were nullified due to vote irregularities, bribery, and intimidation.
President Yoweri Museveni has condemned the electoral malpractices, assuring that justice will be served and irregularities corrected.
This situation amplifies fears of Hon. Minister Florence Nambozo Mayoga, who had previously contested against Hajji Lumolo’s daughter, Aisha Nabulo Mafabi, in the NRM primaries. Minister Nambozo Mayoga “lost” the NRM flag bearer elections to Aisha and later won the general elections as an independent candidate.
Given the current allegations against Hajji Lumolo, it’s plausible that Minister Nambozo Mayoga had reservations about participating in the elections under the current system of Hajji Mafabi Lumolo.
It remains to be seen how the NRM Tribunal will handle this petition, but the allegations against Hajji Lumolo’s leadership have sparked a significant vote of no confidence in his leadership, raising questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process in Sironko District.
