Retired army officer Major-General Phinehas Kitirima has been elected National Resistance Movement (NRM) District Chairperson for Sembabule District.
Former updf spokesperson Katirima defeated the Minister of State for General Duties in the Ministry of Health, Hanifah Kawooya Bangirana, in a hotly contested election marked by tension and drama.
Kitirima garnered 264 votes, unseating Kawooya in what is her second failed bid for the seat.
Her previous attempt in May ended abruptly when she protested the process and withdrew from the race.
From early morning, roads leading to Sembabule playground were packed with NRM members of all ages arriving to vote.
Security was tight, with all delegates searched before entry to ensure order.
Voting began at 1pm after the electoral commission verified the register.
Tensions spiked when MP Theodore Ssekikubo challenged the eligibility of some delegates whose names were read out, claiming they were not entitled to vote.
The contest took another dramatic turn when Minister Kawooya left the queue midway, calling on her supporters to walk out in protest.
She alleged that security personnel inside the venue had compromised the process.
Efforts by election officials and security officers to persuade her to remain failed, sparking a brief commotion at the exit.
Despite the disruption, voting continued under the supervision of returning officer Deborah Alayo, leading to Kitirima’s decisive win.
Other winners included Aine Soddo (Vice Chairperson), Mary Begumisa (General Secretary), Shartsi Musherure Kutesa (Secretary for Finance), and Brig Gen Emmanuel Rwashande (Chairperson for Veterans), among others.
Electoral officials described the exercise as historic, noting that despite heightened tensions, it concluded successfully.
The newly elected leaders pledged to work together to strengthen the NRM in Sembabule.