NELSON K
Youths aligned to the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) in Nyarushanje Subcounty, Rukungiri District, have expressed frustration and disappointment after the Electoral Commission failed to nominate several of their candidates on the final nomination day, despite the party having submitted complete nomination forms.
The youths accuse the Nyarushanje Gomborora Internal Security Officer (GISO), Mr. Johnson Twesigye, of creating personal rules and collaborating with Electoral Commission officials to delay the issuance of a nomination certificate to the party.
Speaking to Boona Radio, Nyarushanje Subcounty Youth Councillor Nicholas Ainebyona, who led the mobilization and registration of PFF youths, expressed anger over the development. He said many candidates were not nominated even though they had completed and submitted all necessary nomination forms before the deadline on Tuesday, 10th June 2025.
Nicholas alleged that GISO Johnson Twesigye issued instructions to block the nomination of any candidate who was not physically present at the nomination center, despite having fully registered nomination documents. He criticized this directive, claiming that the Electoral Commission has no official rule that disqualifies an absentee nominee with complete documentation.
He accused Mr. Twesigye of overstepping his role by imposing personal rules and interfering with the nomination process, which led to the disqualification of many PFF youth candidates who were not present in person. He also condemned the Electoral Commission for issuing the PFF registration certificate only four days before the nomination deadline, leaving the party with limited time to organize its candidates.
Nicholas further called for an extension of the nomination deadline and accused the Electoral Commission of intentionally frustrating opposition political parties. He claimed the commission is heavily influenced by the ruling NRM government and collaborates with NRM candidates to block opposition participation.
In response, GISO Mr. Johnson Twesigye dismissed the accusations as rumors, speculation, and political bias. Speaking to Boona Radio, he stated that he fulfilled his duties as required and did not interfere with the nomination process in any way. He explained that some PFF candidates arrived late—at around 5:30 PM—and missed the deadline on their own accord.
Mr. Twesigye insisted he did nothing to hinder the process and blamed the failed nominations on the party’s poor time management and internal disorganization.
Meanwhile, the Rukungiri District Returning Officer, Mr. Abbas Namara, also spoke to Boona Radio. He said he had not received any formal complaints from PFF mobilizers. Mr. Abbas confirmed that he was physically present in Nyarushanje at 5:00 PM and emphasized that electoral rules require all aspiring candidates to appear in person for nomination. He warned that allowing nominees to be registered in absentia could lead to disowning of documents and procedural irregularities.
Mr. Abbas acknowledged that PFF received their registration certificate late, which constrained their ability to prepare and present their candidates on time. He stressed that the personal appearance requirement is a standard procedure aimed at ensuring transparency and authenticity in the nomination process.
In the end, only five youth candidates from PFF who managed to appear in person were successfully nominated for the Nyarushanje Subcounty during the final nomination day.
