Mubende Resident District Commissioner Fred Nayebare Kyamuzigita has said he will advise President Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairman, to abolish party primaries in favour of a vetting system similar to that used by the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Kyamuzigita made the remarks while speaking at the swearing-in of new boda boda leaders in Mubende District, where several NRM primary losers accused flag bearers of rigging during the recently concluded primaries.
“We have vampires in Mubende who rigged our victory, but I want to assure you that party primaries were like a mock exam, and now it's time for UNEB—no one will rig votes,” said Topista Tindimwebwa, who lost the NRM primaries for the Mubende Woman MP seat.
RDC Kyamuzigita, expressing dissatisfaction with the internal electoral process, said he would meet the President to propose a shift away from primaries.
“When I meet him, I will advise him to abolish these primaries and resort to the vetting process used by the National Unity Platform because these primaries have fueled chaos,” he said.
He proposed that the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) should directly select flag bearers to avoid conflicts.
“CEC can sit in Kampala and release a list of NRM flag bearers and order us to support them. NEC can also do the same because primaries cause disagreements among party members,” he added.
Kyamuzigita said primaries also drain candidates, leaving them weakened ahead of the general election.
“Many waste a lot of money and others get tired, affecting them in the general elections. I think they should start giving us cards,” he noted. “Look at how they confront each other during primaries, yet the NRM policy requires us to support the flag bearer.”
He also highlighted the difficulty his office faces when managing rival candidates.
“I am now confused and always in running battles because when you try to guide one candidate, the NRM candidate becomes angry. But I want to assure you that you are all mine,” he said.
Mubende Municipality MP Hajji Bashir Lubega Ssempa criticised the RDC’s office, claiming some officials undermine his initiatives.
“I want to appreciate the RDC because you are new in Mubende and have handled the process well, but let your juniors learn, because many are being used to fight us,” Ssempa stated.
Joan Komugisha, a coordinator on the NRM Presidential Mobilisation Team for Greater Mubende, supported Kyamuzigita’s position, arguing that primaries undermine their campaign work for President Museveni.
“What the RDC said is correct because we have faced challenges in the field, with voters complaining about violent elections,” she said.
She added that a vetting process could strengthen the NRM’s electoral strategy.
“I think the President should start choosing flag bearers who are capable, and I can assure you that the system can work for us,” Komugisha noted.
