By Joseph Sooka
Security forces in Namutumba District have assured residents of a peaceful and orderly re-election for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag bearer for the Bukono Constituency Member of Parliament.
The crucial exercise, scheduled for Monday, September 8th, 2025, in Kibale Town Council and Kibale Sub-county, follows the overturning of previous results by the NRM Elections dispute tribunal due to widespread irregularities.
This assurance was made by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Fredrick Bangu Aggrey, during a media briefing held at his office in Kaiti on Friday, September 4th, 2025. The briefing also saw the participation of other key security officials, including the District Police Commander (DPC), SSP Kaziba Bashir.
The re-election became necessary after the National Resistance Movement elections dispute tribunal previously overturned the declaration of Maganda Katooko as the flag bearer. This decision followed a petition by the incumbent legislator, Minister Princess Persis Namuganza, citing numerous irregularities and the absence of proper tallying in the initial poll.
RDC Bangu issued a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt the process. “We will not tolerate any attempts to intimidate others from exercising their right to vote by lining up behind their preferred candidate,” Bangu declared.
He further revealed that security had received intelligence reports on plans to smuggle voters from neighbouring sub-counties into the two affected areas. To counter this, Bangu emphasized that strict verification measures would be in place, requiring voters to present a National Identity Card and be a registered voter to qualify.
He also highlighted past issues: “In the previous election, children were seen participating in the election in these two sub-counties and intimidating others from voting, which compelled the tribunal to direct for the re-run.” The RDC also urged registrars to adhere strictly to party guidelines to prevent any further irregularities.
Adding to the security assurances, SSP Kaziba Bashir, the District Police Commander, specifically addressed voters in Kibale Town Council and Kibale Sub-county. “I assure voters in these two sub-counties that they will be protected exceptionally well, and no one should threaten them, as the security deployment plan is already in place,” DPC Bashir stated.
He concluded with a call to action: “I urge the people of Kibale Town Council and Kibale Sub-county to go and exercise their rights on Monday, 8th September, knowing they will be protected at their respective polling stations.”
