The chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, Tanga Odoi, has downplayed fears of violence in the party’s forthcoming parliamentary primaries, insisting that the process will be peaceful and well-organised despite recent irregularities during grassroots polls.
Odoi’s assurances follow the cancellation of elections in several areas where official voter registers were not used.
Some polling centres saw chaos erupt over disputed lists, prompting concerns about what might happen in the next phase of elections for parliamentary flag bearers
“We have a clean register and don’t expect any violence,” said Odoi, adding that the party had deliberately taken voter verification to the village level to ensure authenticity.
“We asked people to be at their villages. When we have a register and the people of the village don't know you, then that’s not the problem of the party,” he said.
Odoi noted that the auditing of registers had gone smoothly and resulted in what he described as credible lists.
He dismissed worries that the chaos experienced during the earlier stage of primaries would spill over into the more competitive races for parliamentary slots.
However, tensions remain. At the party’s Electoral Commission offices, disgruntled members continue to challenge the outcomes of the grassroots elections, alleging exclusion and manipulation.
Observers fear these disputes may resurface during the parliamentary primaries, where stakes are higher and political rivalries more pronounced.
“This was just a tip of the iceberg. Wait for the other level of primaries like MPs,” warned political analyst John Paul Kasujja in an interview with Nile Post.
“You will see a lot of squabbles and conflicts, which will result in many independents in the general elections.”
Even President Museveni has weighed in on concerns about the register.
He recently questioned why his grandchildren, aged 18 and above, were missing from the voters’ roll and ordered a swift resolution.
Despite such criticism, Odoi insists the party is on track.
“If anyone thinks they are going to cause chaos in the elections, they are wrong,” he said, pointing to what he called strong measures to ensure discipline and transparency.
While scepticism persists among scholars and opposition voices about the NRM’s internal democracy, some party loyalists remain hopeful that the clean-up of registers will help restore faith in the process and limit the number of disputed outcomes.