Volatile scenes in Tororo as NRM candidates clash at security meeting

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Tension is simmering ahead of the NRM party primaries in Tororo district, with candidates trading accusations of violence and malpractice. 

At a joint meeting on Wednesday for district security officials, NRM election officials, and the candidates failed to quell the brewing conflict, with allegations of intimidation and bias surfacing.

The meeting, held just hours before the polls, was intended to underscore the importance of a peaceful electoral process. Officials, including the District Security Heads and NRM election officials, cautioned candidates against violence and any actions that could undermine the integrity of the election.

"Each candidate should have agents at every polling station, even those from outside the area, should ensure representation. We will only allow two agents per candidate at the polling station and two official agents at the tally centre, provide their names so that we can give to security," said Joseph Kadoketch, NRM district Registrar Tororo.

Tororo NRM candidates meeting with security heads and NRM election officials at the district council chambers. (Photo by George Ofwono)

SP Edman Mwesigye, the Zonal commander, Public Order Management, Bukedi South, echoed the call for calm.

However, the meeting quickly degenerated into a verbal fight. The incumbent MP for West Budama Northeast, Fox Odoi, accused his challenger, Richard Owere Machika, of organising a group of youths to disrupt the polls.

"Machika has a total of 66 goons in his home now, ready to disorganise the electoral process tomorrow, and he has been making campaigns difficult for us in the constituency. In fact, he has mastered the art of political violence," Odoi asserted.

Machika, however, swiftly countered, accusing Odoi of similar tactics.

"I don't want someone to come here to give a blatant lie to people who are elites, you people are aware of recent events, my driver's house was burnt, and the matter is with the police, I now have several of my supporters in the hospital after they were assaulted by the rival camp. The attackers are a gang moving on motorcycles across Budama North East, wielding huge sticks," Machika retorted.

Other candidates, including Dr Emmanuel Otaala, the incumbent MP for West Budama South, and Annet Nyaketcho, a contender for Tororo County North, leveled accusations of bias against NRM district leadership and security officials.

Otaala pointed out that the proposed handling of electoral materials by the district executive committee and security heads might lead to favouritism, as some of these officials are also candidates.

Responding to these concerns, Sadiq Bategana, the Tororo RDC, pledged professionalism, urging candidates to focus on the interests of the people.

"Organise your agents like you have been guided by the registrar, and you people should know that democracy is about numbers, not individual ambitions. For us, we're going to play our part to ensure free and fair elections," Bategana stated.

Security officials promised strategic deployment across the 1337 polling stations to ensure a safe and fair election process. The election looms amidst an atmosphere of heightened tension, as candidates and voters brace themselves for a potentially contentious primary election.