Tensions are running high in Rakai District after renowned bush war veteran, Maj. Gen. Elly Kayanja, publicly denounced the recently concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary primaries, calling the process fraudulent and demanding an urgent, full-scale investigation.
The retired general’s outcry comes in the wake of his sister, Asha Lubyayi Kayanja’s, controversial loss to incumbent Juliet Kinyamatama in the race for the NRM flag bearer for Rakai District Woman Member of Parliament. Official results showed Kinyamatama polling 44,000 votes against Lubyayi’s 30,400.
Lubyayi has since petitioned the NRM Elections Disputes Tribunal, citing massive irregularities including voter intimidation, open bribery, and the use of unmarked drones ferrying gunmen in black masks.
In a widely circulated social media video, Gen. Kayanja rejected the results as illegitimate, accusing key local security and administrative officials of complicity in the alleged rigging. He specifically named the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), District Police Commander (DPC), District Internal Security Officer (DISO), and Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) as part of what he described as a coordinated operation.
“How does such fraud happen in areas under full police presence, with intelligence officers in every sub-county? Bring your GISOs, call your OCs. This investigation wouldn’t even take three days, if there’s the will,” he noted.
Kayanja went on to challenge the Uganda Police Force and Internal Security Organisation (ISO) to investigate reports of more than 50 drones deployed in the district, as well as the origin of the large sums of money allegedly used to bribe voters.
His remarks have stirred significant debate within the NRM, particularly in Rakai, a district that has historically been a stronghold for the ruling party.
“Rakai has always voted NRM. But now, the party is fighting itself. NRM is killing NRM. Why?” he asked, visibly frustrated.
Kayanja expressed deep disappointment, framing the current crisis as a betrayal of the ideals for which he and others fought during the bush war.
He pointed to glaring discrepancies in the vote tallying process.
“We were shown results where 52 became 152, 28 turned into 128. Who are they fooling? This was an open vote, people lining up behind their preferred candidate for all to see,” he said. “Where you see two people in a line, and somehow they record 200 votes…eehhh… come on.”
He also issued a stern warning to those he believes are responsible for the irregularities:
“Before I deal with Kinyamatama, the RDC and others must be held accountable. If I shed blood for this government, I’m ready to face anything for the people of Rakai. I was born here. Our people have been voting NRM, but now they’re telling me, ‘Don’t blame us if we join NUP.’ They see what’s happening. The Movement is turning on itself,” he added.
In a defiant tone, he responded to reports of threats on his life:
“They say they want to kill me. I’m here now, waiting. I wasn’t around when this happened. If I had been, things would be different. I can’t be threatened by anybody. I respect them, but I don’t fear. You can find out from my colleagues, I don’t fear. That might want to use the chance that I retired from the army, but I am still alive…..,” Gen. Kayanja added.
“Kinyamatama….10 years in Parliament, no word..instead you attack Zaake! Did people of Rakai send you to attack your fellow MP? The only word they heard from Kinyamatama is attacking Zaake,” he added.
He is not alone in raising concerns about the NRM primaries.
Across the country, several high-profile candidates, including Minister Persis Namuganza, have filed petitions alleging similar electoral malpractice.
The NRM elections disputes tribunal is scheduled to begin hearing the cases on July 28.
As Rakai awaits the tribunal’s findings, the outcome could have far-reaching implications, not only for the political landscape in the district, but also for internal cohesion within the ruling party and public trust in its primary election process.
