MICHAEL A
A wave of political drama is sweeping across Ntungamo District as several candidates who lost in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries have bounced back to contest as independents in the 2026 general elections.
The aspirants, who were seeking various positions of leadership, accuse the NRM primaries of being riddled with irregularities, corruption, and vote rigging allegedly orchestrated by top government officials. They claim their complaints were ignored even after presenting them before the NRM tribunal, leaving them with no choice but to stand as independents.
John Kabeeho, the LC5 councilor for Rubaare Sub-county and former aspirant for the Ntungamo LC5 chairperson seat, told our reporter that his victory was “overturned in the last hours” after declaration forms were tampered with.
Kabeeho, who has since submitted his nomination documents and signatures from all 34 sub-counties to the Ntungamo District Electoral Commission, says he now trusts the independence of the national electoral process more than the NRM primaries.
Similarly, Naboth Mpiwire, LC5 councilor for Ntungamo Sub-county and also a former aspirant for the district chairperson seat, expressed dissatisfaction with the way the primaries were conducted. He cited vote rigging and alleged interference by senior government officials as the reasons for his decision to contest as an independent.
Denis Savimbi Muhumuza, LC5 councilor for Itojo Sub-county and chairperson of councilors at Ntungamo District Council Hall, also announced his decision to run as an independent. Popularly known as “General Savimbi,” he claims the NRM primaries held on July 24 were marred by violence and manipulation.
The return of these candidates as independents signals a heated political season ahead in Ntungamo. Observers say the general elections are likely to be tightly contested across most positions as former party loyalists seek to reclaim what they describe as their stolen victories.
