Former Katikamu South NRM flag bearer Patricia Magara has called for the immediate cancellation of the party’s recent primary elections in the constituency, citing widespread fraud, violence, and systematic manipulation of results.
Speaking to journalists in Kampala, Magara described the July 17 primaries as “a total fraud” and accused both the NRM Electoral Commission and local party officials of facilitating what she termed a "pre-arranged outcome" that disregarded the will of the voters.
“This was not a loss due to unpopularity. It was a loss because of how the election was conducted. Violence marred the entire process, and there was no credible voter register used in several areas,” Magara said.
Magara, who previously held the NRM flag for Katikamu South, said her camp has formally petitioned the party leadership to nullify the results and organise a fresh, credible election.
“We flagged these issues from the start irregularities in the register, intimidation, and violence. But the Commission turned a deaf ear,” she added.
She cited several instances of electoral malpractice during the NRM primaries. In Bombo Town Council and Wobulenzi, she alleged that declaration forms were forged and voter numbers were deliberately inflated.
She also claimed that a tally center was unlawfully established in the private residence of an NRM local chairman, contrary to the party’s election regulations.
Additionally, she accused a deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of meddling in the voting process and restricting access to voter registers. In Nyimbwa Sub County, Magara reported that some residents were deliberately denied the opportunity to vote, while already completed declaration forms were submitted for approval.
“My opponent, Hajj Kalume, along with local party officials, sat in private homes to doctor results. That cannot be a legitimate process,” she said.
Magara also questioned the integrity of Luweero District Registrar Osman Lubega Passage, who she claimed should have been dismissed for misconduct but was instead quietly transferred to Nakasongola.
“If he’s a thief, why transfer him? Fire him. This confirms it was a systematic plan to rig the elections,” she said.
While reaffirming her commitment to the NRM and President Museveni, Magara warned that if the party fails to deliver justice, she will consider contesting as an independent in the 2026 general elections.
“I still believe in the party and in President Museveni’s commitment to justice. But if the party refuses to correct this impunity, we shall contest independently,” she said.
Magara also disclosed that even her opponent privately acknowledged some of the irregularities.
“He started to concede that indeed violence happened and registers were not used in some places. That alone invalidates the outcome,” she argued.