Kisoro, Uganda – Dr. Leo Mfitimana, the defeated aspirant for Member of Parliament in Kisoro Municipality, has declared his intention to contest as an independent candidate in the 2026 general elections following alleged malpractices in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primary elections.
He announced his decision during a press briefing at Santaviva Hotel in Kisoro Municipality, expressing disappointment over what he termed serious electoral irregularities that contradicted the NRM’s democratic values.
According to results announced by Kisoro District NRM Electoral Returning Officer Tadeo Majambere, Dr. Mfitimana secured second place with 2,788 votes (28%), losing to former MP Sam Byibesho, who garnered 4,270 votes (43.9%).
The hopeful legislator cited multiple incidents of violence, including clashes between rival supporters, and condemned the misuse of students in the electoral process.
He accused some secondary school administrators of declaring an unauthorized public holiday to compel students to vote for specific candidates.
“The voters’ register was deeply flawed, with numerous eligible adults inexplicably omitted, while underage students were unlawfully mobilized to vote. The conduct of these primaries does not reflect the NRM’s principles. Violence, voter manipulation, and the exploitation of students undermine democracy. I remain committed to the NRM ideology but will contest independently to ensure fair representation,” Dr. Mfitimana stated.
Earlier on Tuesday, Bukimbiri County MP Hon. Eddie Kwizera Wa-Gahungu had also raised concerns over the integrity of the voters’ register used in the NRM primaries.
Kwizera’s pre-election warnings about systemic irregularities in Kisoro initially dismissed by some as local grievances gained credibility as similar reports emerged from at least six other districts, citing missing voters, ballot irregularities, and youth voter coercion.
Wa-Gahungu referenced past discrepancies during the Kisoro Woman MP by-elections and urged the NRM Electoral Commission to synchronize its register with the national Electoral Commission’s database to prevent future malpractices.
Meanwhile, Kisoro Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Hajji Badru Ssebyalla and District Police Commander (DPC) Ben Niwamanya Kashumbusha warned that security agencies would strictly monitor electoral activities.
Their statement followed reports of at least 12 secondary schools in Kisoro allegedly releasing students to participate in NRM primaries—a practice officials condemned as “unlawful indoctrination” of underage voters.
“Schools must remain sanctuaries of learning, not election centers. Section 19(1) of Uganda’s Electoral Act makes no exceptions—voting is exclusively for those meeting the 18-year threshold, and we will enforce this without exception,” RDC Ssebyalla asserted.
Dr. Mfitimana’s move underscores growing dissatisfaction with internal party elections, raising questions about the transparency of the NRM’s candidate selection process.