Authorities in Iganga and Mayuge districts have arrested two senior National Resistance Movement (NRM) registrars as the implementation of President Museveni’s directive to clamp down on electoral irregularities gains momentum.
In Iganga District, NRM registrar Kirunda Yazid was apprehended by police over accusations of misconduct during the party’s Kigulu South primary elections held on July 17, 2025.
Kirunda is alleged to have prematurely and unilaterally declared Kayemba Patrick as the winner, despite unresolved issues surrounding results from key polling stations.
The primary election, which featured five candidates, was highly competitive. Provisional results showed Kayemba Patrick in the lead with 7,095 votes.
He was followed closely by Yusuf Kyafu Ntulume with 6,657 votes, Abdul Rahim Sebukaire alias Kyangha with 6,608, incumbent Member of Parliament Milton Muwuma with 5,248, and Waiswa Ian with 3,057 votes.
Despite the tight margins and protests from rival camps, Kirunda reportedly went ahead to announce the final results without addressing complaints tied to Buseyi and Nakalama polling stations.
According to the candidates, there had been an earlier mutual agreement to withhold announcement of the results until guidance was received from NRM headquarters in Kampala.
This alleged defiance by Kirunda sparked unrest across parts of Iganga, especially along the Iganga–Tororo highway.
Busoga East Police Spokesperson SP Michael Kafayo confirmed the arrest, linking Kirunda’s decision to subsequent violence that erupted following the announcement.
“The irregularities were cited in Buseyi and Nakalama. All candidates had agreed to suspend the results until Kampala’s guidance, but Kirunda went ahead and declared Kayemba as the winner. This sparked protests leading to injuries and property damage,” said SP Kafayo on Monday.
During the chaos, angry supporters erected barricades with burning debris, looted nearby shops, and attacked several bystanders, creating a volatile scene that required police intervention.
SP Kafayo revealed that Kirunda now faces charges of electoral malpractice and incitement of violence, and is expected to be arraigned in court shortly.
In a related incident in Mayuge District, the police arrested the area NRM registrar, Buseni Waiswa, on similar charges.
Waiswa is accused of declaring manipulated results in Busakira Sub-County, where the reported voter turnout allegedly surpassed the number of registered voters in the area.
SP Kafayo noted that Waiswa’s actions had the potential to provoke unrest and destabilize the community.
“He declared inflated results for Busakira Sub-County, which were nullified after they were found to surpass the population figures. Investigations are ongoing and he will also face court,” added SP Kafayo.
Sources indicated that Kirunda was initially detained by operatives from State House before police took over custody.
His office, home, and vehicle were all subjected to a thorough search to uncover any evidence that might support the ongoing investigation.
However, authorities have yet to officially confirm whether any incriminating material was found.
These arrests mark a significant step in enforcing President Museveni’s directive to uphold electoral integrity within the NRM and serve as a strong warning to officials involved in irregularities across the country.
