State Minister for Housing Persis Namuganza Princess has defiantly ruled out withdrawing from the Bukono County parliamentary race, insisting she cannot support the official NRM flag bearer after what she describes as the most chaotic and fraudulent primaries Namutumba has ever witnessed.
Her hardline stance comes just days after State Minister for Works Musa Ecweru bowed out of the Amuria County race a move welcomed by NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, who urged other ministers and independents to follow suit in order to strengthen party cohesion ahead of the 2026 general elections.
But Namuganza says withdrawing is not an option, arguing that the people of Namutumba were betrayed by an electoral process she believes was stage-managed from Kampala.
Speaking in an unusually candid interview, Namuganza accused the NRM Electoral Commission of mishandling every stage of the primary election in Bukono Constituency and the wider district.
“People woke up early to vote. Chaos erupted in some sub-counties. The tallying process was cancelled. We were told a new date would be announced… but instead Kampala produced its own results and declared flag bearers.”
She says tallying was only done in two sub-counties: Kibale Town Council and Kibale Sub-county while five other sub-counties were completely ignored, despite having valid returns.
“How do you explain to the people of Namutumba that someone who lost in all 19 sub-counties gets the flag? The people saw everything with their own eyes. You cannot convince them with press statements from Kampala.”
Namuganza argues that the resulting frustration, if ignored, could drive NRM supporters to vote opposition for the first time in the district’s history.
The minister accuses top party officials of not only ignoring complaints, but also contributing to the electoral chaos.
She singles out the NRM secretariat and some senior leaders:
“They knew everything that happened here. They refused to address it. Some even told us to stop wearing party colours. Since when did NRM become their personal property?”
According to Namuganza, some of these leaders were openly hostile toward her candidacy:
“They said that even if I got 99%, I would not get the flag. But the people here love me, anyone can see it.”
She warns that the language and tone used by certain party officials is further alienating the grassroots.
“They are barking at people who were unfairly treated. They are chasing away resourceful members instead of reconciling the party.”
While Ecweru opted to step aside in what the Secretary General hailed as an act of party discipline, Namuganza says her situation is not comparable because the primaries in Namutumba were deeply flawed.
She insists she will stay in the race as an independent if necessary, arguing that withdrawing would be a betrayal of her supporters.
“My people saw what happened. They know the truth. I cannot tell them to support a flag bearer who was never elected.”
She, however, absolves President Museveni of blame:
“This has not come from the NRM chairman. It is these other individuals who think the party belongs to them.”
Namuganza says the party risks losing support in Namutumba if it continues to ignore the grievances stemming from the primaries.
“If they continue using forceful language, they will put this party in a crisis. People here are waiting to see if their concerns will finally be addressed.”
