KAYUNGA — Divisions are widening within the ruling National Resistance Movement in Kayunga District following a controversial move by a section of party members to endorse Augustine Tumwine as their preferred successor to the late district chairperson Moses Karangwa Kaliisa.
District party officials have distanced themselves from the endorsement, insisting that no election has been held and that the process of filling the vacant position can only be initiated by the party's national leadership in accordance with the NRM constitution.
The position fell vacant following the death of Karangwa in a road accident on May 17, 2026, triggering a succession contest that has already attracted several interested party members.
The controversy stems from a meeting reportedly convened by a group of NRM supporters who agreed to front Tumwine, a younger brother of the deceased chairperson, as their preferred candidate and present his name to the NRM Secretariat for consideration ahead of an eventual by-election.
However, district leaders say the gathering had no authority to elect or appoint a district chairperson and should not be interpreted as an official party process.
Speaking at the district NRM offices along the Kayunga-Kampala Road, District NRM Registrar Jamada Kivumbi dismissed claims that Tumwine had been elected chairperson.
"The endorsement of Augustine Tumwine has no legal basis under the NRM constitution. We have clear procedures for filling vacancies, and no individual or group has the mandate to bypass those procedures," Kivumbi said.
He noted that several party members have already expressed interest in the position and warned against attempts to predetermine the outcome before the party formally opens the process.
"Many party members have expressed interest in becoming district chairperson. The National Secretariat must first declare the vacancy and organize elections within the stipulated period. Every interested member deserves a fair chance to participate," he said.
According to the NRM constitution, the district vice chairperson assumes office in an acting capacity following the death or departure of a substantive chairperson until the party organizes fresh elections.
Currently, district vice chairperson David Kato is serving in an acting capacity pending guidance from the party's national leadership.
Kato said he had not convened any meeting to choose a successor and urged party members to wait for the official roadmap from the NRM Secretariat.
"I did not convene any meeting to elect a district chairperson. The rightful process must be followed, and party members should wait for guidance from the National Secretariat," Kato said.
The dispute has exposed growing factionalism within the district party structure, with some members arguing that Tumwine should be backed to continue his late brother's legacy, while others insist that the position should be subjected to an open and competitive electoral process.
Political observers say the disagreement could intensify in the coming months as more aspirants position themselves for what is expected to be a closely watched contest for control of the district party leadership.
The NRM National Secretariat is now expected to provide formal guidance on the succession process, including the declaration of a vacancy and the roadmap for conducting a by-election to choose a substantive district chairperson.