By John Okello Lapok
A brewing crisis within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has culminated in a coordinated threat of boycott by several aspirants for the National Female Youth MP ticket.
The aspirants have vowed not to contest party primaries unless the NRM Electoral Commission deals decisively with allegations that a fellow contender, Fiona Nakku, is too aged to contest for the same seat.
The dispute centres on a petition lodged by youth leader Moses Omujujugu, who alleges that Nakku is 31 years old and therefore outside the 18–30 age bracket set out in the National Youth Council Act for youth leadership positions.
The petition — which Omujujugu says is supported by official documents — further accuses Nakku of having close family ties with one of the secretariat honchos.
NIRA’s refusal to amend ID
The petition is bolstered by information that the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) rejected a request from Nakku to alter her date of birth on her national ID.
Now, several young female aspirants have issued a joint stance refusing to participate in the flagbearer contest unless the party verifies eligibility, investigates the conflict-of-interest claims, and sanctions any officials found to have interfered in the process.
The candidates say the allegations amount to “internal sabotage” that undermines the rule of law and the fairness of NRM internal elections.
“The integrity of the youth wing and the credibility of NRM primaries are at stake,” one of the aspirants said in a statement circulated to party members and media.
“We will not legitimize a process that appears rigged by favouritism and family connections,” another aspirant added.
The petitioners and the female aspirants are asking the NRM Electoral Commission to publicly release its vetting records for all candidates, confirm the verified ages of flagbearer hopefuls, and clarify the role — if any — played by party officers alleged to have campaigned on behalf of a candidate.
NRM Electoral Commission and Secretariat Silence!
Although the petition went to the EC and secretariat, at the time of publication, no statement had been issued in respect of the petition.
A central aspect of the controversy is whether internal vetting procedures were properly followed.
Under the National Youth Council Act, youth representation is reserved for persons aged 18 to 30, a threshold that aspiring candidates must meet.
If the age allegation is substantiated, it would render any candidacy invalid and could trigger disciplinary action against officials who assisted the ineligible aspirant.
Political stakes and implications
Political observers warn that failure by the NRM to handle the matter transparently could deepen mistrust among the party’s younger membership at a time when the youth vote is highly contested.
“Perceptions of impunity and favouritism can quickly erode grassroots confidence,” said Hajji Kasule Fahd observed adding that for a ruling party that relies on a strong youth structure, such a practice is potentially damaging.
The incident also raises questions about party governance and the independence of its electoral mechanisms.
Allegations that district registrars — party-appointed officials charged with administering primaries — were instructed to campaign are particularly sensitive, since they strike at the impartiality of the process.
What Comes Next
The female aspirants’ threat to boycott forces a test of the NRM Electoral Commission’s willingness and capacity to enforce its own rules.
Options for the party include an immediate audit of candidate documents, an independent verification of contested age records, public disclosure of vetting outcomes, and disciplinary proceedings against any party official found to have breached electoral regulations.
If the commission fails to act, the boycott could proceed to the detriment of turnout, candidate legitimacy and the broader youth mobilisation efforts of the NRM ahead of national contests. Watch this space!
