Kitagwenda District Woman Member of Parliament candidate Dr Grace Ninsiima has accused the district leadership of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) of orchestrating vote rigging during the recently concluded parliamentary elections.
Dr Ninsiima, who contested as an independent candidate, alleges that the Kitagwenda District NRM chairperson, Nathan Musana, colluded with her sister, the incumbent Woman MP and NRM flag bearer Dorothy Nyakato Nzibonera, to manipulate the electoral process in her favour.
According to results released by the Electoral Commission and announced by the Kitagwenda District Returning Officer, Francis Kagoro, Nzibonera polled 31,218 votes, representing 64.1 per cent, while Dr Ninsiima garnered 17,283 votes, accounting for 35.9 per cent.
However, Dr Ninsiima has rejected the official tally, insisting that she won the election and that the results announced do not reflect the will of the electorate.
She claims the polls were marred by widespread irregularities, including ballot stuffing, voter bribery, and coordinated interference by political actors at the district level.
“I have credible evidence to show that the election was not free and fair,” Dr Ninsiima said.
“There was coordinated manipulation of the process, and I believe the District NRM leadership played a role in facilitating vote rigging in favour of the incumbent.”
Dr. Ninsiima said she is preparing to file a petition in the High Court, arguing that legal redress is the only avenue available to challenge what she described as electoral malpractice.
“I am taking this matter to court because the will of the people of Kitagwenda must be respected. I am confident that the evidence we have will bring the truth to light,” she said.
In response, Kitagwenda District NRM chairperson Nathan Musana dismissed the allegations, describing them as unfounded and misleading.
He maintained that the elections were conducted peacefully and in accordance with established procedures.
“The elections in Kitagwenda were transparent and orderly,” Musana said. “There was no vote rigging, and I did not participate in vote tallying or influence the outcome in any way.”
Musana added that his role as district party chairperson was limited to mobilization and maintaining calm during the electoral process, insisting he did not interfere with voting or results declaration.
By press time, the Electoral Commission had not issued an official statement regarding the allegations.
Political observers say the anticipated court petition is likely to subject the Kitagwenda electoral process to closer judicial scrutiny as stakeholders await a determination on the contested outcome.
