Chaos blamed as Bushenyi NRM elections rescheduled

__________________

The Bushenyi National Resistance Movement (NRM) party secretariat has scheduled today (May 8, 2025) to conduct elections for LC1 flag-bearers and structural leadership in four villages where polls were postponed following chaos and tensions.

Bushenyi district NRM registrar Arcangel Barekye confirmed that fresh elections have been organised in the four villages where incidents of chaos disrupted the LC1 polls held on May 6, 2025.

The nationwide electoral exercise, led by Dr Tanga Odoi, the chairperson of the NRM electoral commission, took place in over 72,000 villages across Uganda. However, the exercise was marred by chaos and violence, causing the voting in some areas to be suspended.

The affected villages are Bwatogo Cell in central division, Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality; Tea Estate Mashonga in Butare-Kamuhunga; Rwencekye cell in Bumbaire sub-county and Rwemigobora in Ishaka division.

“We were unable to conduct elections in these four villages due to chaos and disagreements among members. As the secretariat, we have scheduled fresh elections in these areas tomorrow," Barekye told New Vision Online on Wednesday.

He urged party members to remain calm and patient. 

“Fighting and quarrelling over elections is not a solution. We ask all our members to exercise restraint as we organise to conclude the process,” he said.

Despite the challenges in the four villages, Barekye noted that elections across more than 571 villages were conducted freely and fairly. He, however, urged those who feel aggrieved to file formal petitions with the secretariat rather than tearing the party apart.

“Generally, the elections were free and fair in the rest of the villages. For those who feel aggrieved, I encourage you to file formal petitions with the secretariat instead of dividing party members,” he said.