Kasese NRM Supporters Protest Woman MP Primary Results

A section of National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters in Kasese District on Monday poured onto the streets in protest, decrying irregularities in the recently concluded party primaries for the Woman Member of Parliament flag bearer.

Visibly frustrated and carrying placards, the demonstrators marched through parts of Kasese Municipality, chanting slogans and condemning what they described as “electoral injustice.”

They demanded an immediate vote recount, alleging that the tallying process was flawed and compromised.

The controversy stems from a tightly contested primary race involving three candidates—Sarah Ithungu Baleke, Mary Marylin Kabugho, and Happy Esther.

According to official results released by the NRM returning officer, Amon Mbusa, Sarah Baleke emerged the winner with 65,664 votes, narrowly defeating Marylin Kabugho, who polled 63,060 votes.

Margaret Kabugho, one of the protestors, expressed her anger at the outcome.

“We cannot stand by and watch the will of the people being overturned. This is not the democracy we expected within our party,” she said.

Another supporter, Bigboss Ahimbisibwe, pointed fingers at the district NRM chairperson, accusing them of manipulating the results.

“The tallying was not transparent. We strongly believe the district chairperson interfered with the process,” he claimed.

The protestors have warned that unless their grievances are addressed, they will boycott future NRM electoral activities.

“We are demanding either a recount or a by-election. If that doesn’t happen, we are done with NRM elections,” one protest leader declared.

Meanwhile, Marylin Kabugho, the runner-up in the contest, revealed that she is preparing a formal petition to the NRM secretariat.

“What happened during tallying was a total hijack of the people’s voice. I am taking this matter to the party’s top leadership,” she said.

Kabugho also hinted at running as an independent candidate if the party fails to address her concerns.

“I will listen to my people. If they ask me to contest as an independent, I will not hesitate,” she added.

As of Monday evening, the NRM leadership in Kasese had not yet issued an official response to the allegations and protests.