NRM Threatens Disqualification Over Violence, Rigging in Adjumani West Primaries

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has issued a stern warning to aspirants contesting in the forthcoming Adjumani West parliamentary by-election party primaries, cautioning them against violence, electoral malpractice, sectarianism and attempts to manipulate the electoral process.

The warning was issued by the NRM Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, during a press conference held on Monday, August 31, 2026, ahead of the party primaries scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Dr. Odoi said the Commission would not hesitate to take disciplinary action, including disqualification, against any aspirant found with credible evidence of engaging in violence, intimidation, bribery, sectarianism or other forms of electoral misconduct.

“The Commission will take firm action against any aspirant found engaging in misconduct,” Dr. Odoi said, stressing that evidence of sectarianism, intimidation, bribery or attempts to manipulate the electoral process would attract disciplinary measures, including possible disqualification.

He warned that the Commission was closely monitoring developments in the constituency and would ensure that the process of selecting the NRM flag bearer remains transparent, peaceful and credible.

Village Register Update Underway

As part of preparations for the primaries, the NRM Electoral Commission announced the commencement of the updating of village party registers across Adjumani West Constituency.

The exercise began on Monday, August 31, and is expected to conclude on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

The register update will be followed by Village Barazas in all villages across the constituency, where registered NRM members will be given an opportunity to scrutinise the updated registers and verify the names of party members eligible to participate in the primaries.

According to the Commission, the Village Barazas will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The exercise is intended to ensure transparency and give party members an opportunity to identify any anomalies before the party proceeds with the election of its parliamentary flag bearer.

Dr. Odoi emphasised that anyone seeking to be included on the register must provide proof of residence in the respective village within Adjumani West Constituency.

He particularly warned against attempts to infiltrate the party register with people who are not residents of the constituency.

The NRM Electoral Commission Chairman said the Commission was concerned about possible attempts by individuals from neighbouring Adjumani East Constituency to participate in the Adjumani West electoral process.

“We shall crack the whip by disqualifying anybody accused, with evidence, of spreading sectarian tendencies or participating in attempts to infiltrate Adjumani West,” Dr. Odoi warned.

Primaries Set for September 3

The NRM Electoral Commission has scheduled the party's parliamentary primary elections for Thursday, September 3, 2026.

The elections will be conducted across all 99 villages in Adjumani West Constituency and will determine the party's official flag bearer in the forthcoming parliamentary by-election.

Dr. Odoi appealed to all aspirants, their supporters, party leaders and the wider NRM membership to uphold peace, discipline and unity throughout the process.

He commended the candidates and their supporters for maintaining relative calm during the campaigns, saying the contest had so far remained largely peaceful despite the high level of competition.

However, he cautioned that the Commission would take decisive action against anyone found attempting to disrupt the exercise.

The NRM Electoral Commission Chairman said sectarian politics, incitement, intimidation, bribery and voter interference would not be tolerated.

He said the party expected all aspirants to demonstrate political maturity and commitment to the NRM's principles.

NRM Celebrates Strong Performance in Women's Council Elections

During the same press conference, Dr. Odoi expressed satisfaction with the NRM's performance in the recently concluded district-level Women's Council Committee elections.

He said the party had performed exceptionally well in the elections conducted by the National Electoral Commission on Friday, August 28, 2026.

According to statistics presented by the National Electoral Commission, the NRM won 575 out of the 584 contested positions, representing 98.5 per cent of the available positions.

Dr. Odoi described the results as an indication of the NRM's continued strength and support across the country.

He was accompanied at the press conference by NRM Electoral Commission commissioners Dr. James Tweheyo,

Ambassador James Williams Kinobe,

Hon. Zaituni Dwaru, Hon. Alisemera Jane and Hon. Juliana Auma.

The Commission leadership congratulated party supporters and candidates who participated in the Women's Council elections and called for continued discipline as preparations for subsequent stages of the party's electoral activities continue.

Warning to Aspirants Seeking National Women's Council Positions

Dr. Odoi also issued a warning to aspirants seeking positions on the National Council for Women at the national level.

He urged them to wait for official guidance from the NRM Electoral Commission before undertaking any activities related to the electoral process.

The Commission Chairman cautioned aspirants against making inflammatory or sectarian statements, engaging in intimidation or bribery, interfering with voters or undertaking any action that could undermine the credibility of the party's democratic processes.

“This party is democratic and patriotic. It is committed to socio-economic development, and we don't expect anybody who wants to stand on the ticket for the National Council for Women at the national level to act in a manner that disrupts the process,” Dr. Odoi said.

He said the NRM Electoral Commission would continue providing official guidance and a clear roadmap for all aspirants and stakeholders involved in the forthcoming elections.

NRM EC Extends Condolences to Tooro Kingdom

Meanwhile, the NRM Electoral Commission also used the press conference to extend its condolences to the people of Tooro Kingdom, the Royal Family and all Ugandans following the passing of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

The Commission expressed solidarity with the people of Tooro and the wider Rwenzori region during the period of mourning.

Dr. Odoi and members of the Commission said the NRM fraternity stood with the Royal Family, the people of Tooro, NRM supporters and all stakeholders affected by the loss.

The Commission extended its heartfelt sympathies and called upon Ugandans to stand together with the people of Tooro during the difficult period.

Focus on Peaceful and Credible Primaries

With only days remaining before the Adjumani West NRM parliamentary primaries, the party's Electoral Commission has made it clear that maintaining peace and protecting the integrity of the party register will be central to the exercise.

The September 3 primaries are expected to attract significant attention as NRM members across the constituency prepare to elect their preferred candidate to carry the party flag in the parliamentary by-election.

Dr. Odoi said the Commission remains committed to ensuring a transparent and orderly process and warned that any aspirant or supporter found undermining the rules would face appropriate disciplinary action.

The Commission's message, he said, is that competition for leadership should never be allowed to undermine party unity, peace and discipline.

As the register update and Village Barazas proceed, all eyes will now turn to Thursday's vote across the 99 villages of Adjumani West, where NRM members will choose the party's candidate for the forthcoming by-election.