Chaos, guns, and change: What went wrong in the 2025 NRM primaries

It was supposed to be a show of strength. A moment for Uganda’s ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), to affirm its grip ahead of the 2026 general elections.

But instead, last week’s parliamentary primaries have exposed deep fractures, roiling the party with violent clashes, surprising upsets, and rising threats of rebellion from within. Held across 519 constituencies on July 17, the NRM primaries were meant to finalize party flag bearers for both directly elected and Woman MP positions.

What unfolded instead was a series of chaotic and violent episodes—marked by the death of a voter, physical assaults on sitting MPs, and widespread allegations of fraud.

A BLOODY DAY IN KAMULI

In Kamuli district, tensions turned deadly on the eve of voting. Sowedi Egumbye, the husband of woman MP aspirant Sarah Auma, was shot and killed by police. Authorities claimed he was part of a group that stormed the home of Buzaaya MP Martin Muzaale, prompting the MP to call security forces.

Egumbye was shot while allegedly fleeing the scene. In Ntungamo, the incumbent municipality MP, Yona Musinguzi, was severely beaten and hospitalized. A viral image circulated widely—showing him bare-foot and clutching a stick, chasing a man through town.

In Lwemiyaga, veteran MP Theodore Ssekikubo condemned what he described as state-backed intimidation.

“NRM was built to end rule by the gun. But now the gun is being turned against us,” he told supporters, accusing the military of using concealed vehicles and unleashing a gang called Enkoni Squad to brutalize voters. In Mbale, tensions also flared as chaos erupted at the tally center.

Hudu Hussein, a defeated candidate, lashed out in frustration, accusing the NRM of election malpractice.

“This election has been massively rigged!” he shouted at police officers. “We made several calls, but no one showed up. When our votes were being stolen, the police were nowhere. The only ‘security’ we saw were the goons who disrupted the lining up of our supporters.”

His outburst highlighted growing fears about the party’s internal processes. The violent conduct and widespread accusations of irregularities have raised serious questions about the NRM’s commitment to internal democracy and the rule of law.

Mike Mukula, the NRM’s national vice chairperson for the Eastern region, acknowledged the party’s troubles. He warned that the irregularities seen in the primaries could lead to a surge in independent candidates in the next parliament—further threatening party unity ahead of the 2026 elections.

MINISTERS FALL, FAITH SHAKEN

The primaries brought down several powerful figures in government. After two decades in office, state minister for Industry David Bahati was defeated in Ndorwa West. In Kasese, ICT minister Godfrey Kabbyanga lost to former Health minister Dr Crispus Kiyonga.

In Amuria, Works minister Musa Ecweru was ousted by Samuel Ediau in a landslide. Some, like Kabbyanga, bowed out gracefully.

“I concede defeat. I will not run as an independent,” he said. Others, like Bahati and Ecweru, claimed irregularities and hinted at legal challenges. In all, over half a dozen ministers were swept out—including Persis Namuganza (Housing), Victoria Rusoke Businge (Local Government), Moriku Kaducu (Primary Education), and Peace Mutuuzo (Gender and Culture).

For many voters, the message was clear: performance matters. These losses suggest a generational shift within the NRM, as voters increasingly favor younger candidates and demand greater accountability from their leaders. According to Sarah Bireete, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Governance, the outcome reflects a clear vote of no confidence in the ministers who lost.

“They have been non-performers,” she said. “They aren’t known, despite being front benchers in parliament.” “These are ministers who have been absent both in parliament and in their constituencies,” said Bireete.

“Their losses reflect public frustration.”

UNDERAGE VOTING AND BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS 

Social media was awash with footage of schoolchildren lining up to vote—some allegedly bribed with 1,000 and 2,000 Ugandan shillings. In Mbarara, incumbent MP Mwine Mpaka faced accusations of using underage voters, with videos circulating of students admitting they were paid to vote.

Party officials pushed back, insisting the voters were eligible. But the optics were damaging—fueling a perception of a process riddled with loopholes.

CRACKS WITHIN

Discontent didn’t end at the polling stations. In district after district, defeated candidates cried foul, threatening to run as independents or even defect. In Namutumba, Minister Persis Namuganza publicly accused Speaker Anita Among and NRM Electoral Commission chair Dr Tanga Odoi of interfering in the process.

“She said she was waiting for me. The registrar and security took orders from her,” Namuganza told supporters.

“Some of us aren’t going to Tanga [Odoi] because we know who our real bosses are— you, the voters.”

Speaking at a gathering in Namutumba town council last Friday, Namuganza warned that if her grievances are not addressed, she may contest as an independent in the 2026 general elections—or even run on another party’s ticket. In Mubende, tensions simmered between Edward Kulabiirawo and Maj Joseph Kakooza, with supporters warn- ing of mass defections to the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).

Kampala was no exception. Supporters of Sophia Kanyani, who lost the Woman MP race, expressed fury.

“That’s why NUP is better,” one voter muttered. “At least when you vote, the results stick.” Former journalist Julius Nabimanya, a candidate for Nakaseke North MP, accused NRM electoral officials of manipulating the vote.

“Some polling stations were issuing three or four declaration forms instead of one,” he claimed.

“There was also widespread voter bribery.” In response, NRM Electoral Commission vice chairman Jachan Omach urged all aggrieved candidates—including Nabimanya and Namuganza— to formally submit their complaints to the NRM petition tribunal within five days.

MUSEVENI RESPONDS

On July 20, President Yoweri Museveni broke his silence. In a strongly worded statement, he condemned the violence, bribery and vote tampering that marred the primaries.

“These are politically and ideologically wrong,” he wrote. “They must be condemned by all lovers of the NRM and Uganda.”

By Monday, the president confirmed arrests of eight individuals linked to alleged result tampering. “They are self-seekers,” Museveni posted on X, listing suspects from Mayuge, Buyende, Kapchorwa, and other districts.

A PARTY AT A CROSSROADS

The 2025 NRM primaries were meant to project confidence and unity. Instead, they exposed a party in turbulence—grappling with generational change, accountability demands, and growing dissent.

For analysts, the risk is clear: disgruntled ministers, grassroots outrage, and internal power plays could fracture the NRM vote in 2026.

What comes next will depend not just on how the party resolves internal grievances—but whether it can convince voters that its own house is in order. As the dust settles, one truth is hard to ignore: the battle lines of Uganda’s next election may have already been drawn.