AMURU, Uganda – The recently concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) primary elections in Kilak North constituency, Amuru District, are facing a storm of controversy, with two aspiring candidates alleging widespread irregularities, including the participation of underage voters. They are now demanding a total nullification of the results and a fresh election.
Kenneth Okot, an NRM hopeful for Kilak North, challenged the electoral outcome, declaring it “null and void.” In an exclusive telephone interview on Sunday evening, Okot emphatically claimed that children “as young as 10 years old” cast votes in the primaries, particularly within Kilak North County.
Call for Presidential Intervention
Okot is appealing directly to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene, specifically requesting the suspension of the NRM registrar for Amuru District. He confirmed he has formally lodged a complaint with Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, and the tribunal handling election petitions.
“We want an independent team sent by the President to investigate this election process, and it should be a rerun,” Okot stated firmly. “If not, the real NRM cadres are joining the opposition at all costs.”
Okot further alleged that Anthony Akol, a suspected beneficiary of the alleged malpractice, “has never got even 20 percent” in past NRM primaries, suggesting he may have bribed registrars.
“Worst NRM Election Ever Seen”
Another aggrieved candidate, Christopher Ojera, is compiling evidence to support the claims. He corroborated Okot’s assertions, stating that “children voted massively” in the Kilak North NRM primaries, calling it “the worst NRM election he has ever seen.”
A voter from Bardege Layibi Division in Gulu City, who requested anonymity, urged President Museveni to personally order a re-run for both Bardege-Layibi Division and Kilak North County. “If not,” the voter warned, “NRM should forget of getting votes in Amuru, Gulu, and Pader districts in the general election because of the conduct of some top army officers and NRM district registrar chasing people from the party.”
The voter also highlighted alleged instances of candidates breaking electoral laws by allowing people to be counted “more than three times in the same line,” practices reportedly protected by “godfathers in NRM headquarters in Northern Uganda.”
Bosco, a voter from Kasubi, Bardege Layibi Division, Gulu City, echoed the demand for a re-run in both divisions before the end of July 2025, to “create harmony and trust for NRM party again in Northern Uganda.”
NRM District Chairman Admits Flaws
When contacted for comment, the NRM party chairperson for Amuru District, Mr. Baguma Wilfred Odiya, admitted, “The Election was Not Free and Fair.” He spoke to our reporter by phone at 5:45 PM on Sunday evening.
However, attempts to get a comment from Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, were unsuccessful. When contacted by our reporter at 5:35 PM, Dr. Odoi briefly answered before stating he was “busy handling some issue” and promptly ended the call.
