Two NRM registrars arrested in Busoga over electoral fraud

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Police in Iganga have arrested two National Resistance Movement (NRM) electoral commission registrars over alleged irregularities during the party’s July 17, 2025, parliamentary flag-bearer primaries.

Kiggulu South registrar Yazid Kirunda and Hussein Waiswa from Mayuge district are both in custody following incidents of suspected vote tampering and abuse of office, according to Busoga East Police spokesperson Michael Kafayo.

“We acted on complaints and confirmed cases of misconduct by the two registrars. They are being held as part of investigations into election offences,” Kafayo told New Vision Online on Tuesday, July 22 2025, morning via telephone.

Kirunda was implicated in disrupting the polling process at Busei and Nakalama polling stations.

Contestants had agreed to suspend result announcements due to irregularities, but Kirunda allegedly defied this consensus and declared a winner. The incident sparked violent protests from supporters, leading to property damage. Kirunda is detained at Iganga Central Police Station, according to Kafayo.

More votes than registered population

In Mayuge, Waiswa is accused of announcing results from a sub-county that had more votes than its registered population. The figures raised alarm among both contestants and observers, according to Kafayo.

These arrests come amid a broader crackdown following President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to prosecute individuals involved in result manipulation, vote buying and violence.

More being hunted

In a statement shared on his X account, Museveni said those arrested were from the districts of Mayuge, Buyende, Kapchorwa, Pader, Oyam, Rwampara, Kareenga and Mbarara.

"Other targets are being followed up. I will keep you informed".

Meanwhile, get us evidence against the other offences of violence, bribery and interfering with the registers. I have constituted a committee of powerful lawyers to handle the petitions. We shall clean up the NRM as we also defend the wider interests of all the Ugandans," Museveni said.

The arrests came in the wake of a warning by Museveni on Sunday, shortly after congratulating the NRM on holding a successful rally countrywide.

However, Museveni condemned in the strongest terms what he described as some unpatriotic actors who allegedly committed mistakes, including altering results, tampering with registers and using violence, including causing injuries and deaths.

He also condemned the use of money and materials to bribe voters. The President thus warned: "We are going to prosecute these mistake-makers. The easiest to start with are those who altered results."