The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has nullified the election results for Kapchorwa District following widespread irregularities and has mandated fresh elections to be held before 10th August 2025.
The decision was reached during a joint meeting held yesterday at Kyadondo in Kampala between the Electoral Commission and the aspirants, who had filed a petition challenging the conduct of the electoral process.
All nine aspirants—comprising five candidates for Woman Member of Parliament (WMP) and four for constituency and municipality seats—accused the District Registrar, Akram Chemonges, of failing to declare results in a timely manner and alleged involvement in bribery.
The commission, chaired by Dr. Tanga Odoi alongside his deputy Fred Jachan Omach, heard submissions from all candidates before unanimously agreeing to nullify the entire election and order fresh polls ahead of the stipulated deadline.
Candidates further complained that the registrar denied their agents access to declaration forms, a direct violation of NRM EC guidelines. Additionally, the results were not publicly displayed on a projector at the tally center, with the registrar opting instead to read the results from a small piece of paper.
Dr. Odoi apologized for the disorganized process and announced the immediate dismissal of Akram Chemonges. He appointed Isaac Chepkurui as the new District Registrar and confirmed that a team from the NRM headquarters would soon oversee the upcoming fresh elections.
The chairperson also called on the police to investigate all officials implicated in alleged bribery, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Candidates reported having intercepted Akram Chemonges with a black bag containing UGX 68 million, reportedly being shared at a private residence. Dr. Odoi clarified that UGX 96 million had been allocated for electoral logistics.
The WMP aspirants included Juliet Beulah Chepayeyin, Chemtai Susan, Jalia Seiko Chekosire, Betty Kaali, and incumbent Chemtai Philis, who was absent during the meeting.
Tingey County candidates were Chelangat Nancy, Seyokwo Kenneth Obama, and incumbent Fadil Twala, while Kapchorwa Municipality was represented by Martin Chemonges and Chemowo Marshood Musa.
The aspirants expressed appreciation to the Electoral Commission for its intervention, stating that justice had been served.
In a dramatic development, Dr. Odoi summoned Tingey MP incumbent Fadil Twala by phone to respond to bribery allegations. Upon Twala’s arrival, Dr. Odoi, visibly angered, reprimanded him for showing disrespect and responding reluctantly to inquiries, a confrontation that heightened tensions during the meeting.
