Three prominent officials of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party have been remanded to prison on charges related to electoral irregularities during the recently concluded NRM primary elections for Member of Parliament flag bearers. The arrests follow widespread allegations of result manipulation and falsification of documents in the Kamuli and Buyende districts.

The accused, who appeared before the Chief Magistrate, have been identified as Baliruno David, Buyende district NRM Party Administrator, Matovu Vincent, Buyende District NRM Registrar and Gwambuga Godfrey, Kamuli District NRM Registrar.

According to a statement from ASP Kasadha Micheal, Regional Spokesperson for Busoga North, Baliruno David and Matovu Vincent are jointly accused of Forgery and Utterance of a false document.

Gwambuga Godfrey, the Kamuli district registrar, faces even graver charges, including Forgery, Falsification of a tally Register, and Conspiracy to commit a felony with others still at large.

Their arrests stemmed from growing concerns and complaints of alleged result alterations in certain sub-counties, purportedly in favour of specific candidates in the highly contested primary elections.

Following their plea before the Chief Magistrate, all three officials were remanded. Baliruno David and Matovu Vincent were sent to Buyende Prison, while Gwambuga Godfrey was remanded to Kamuli Prison. They are scheduled to reappear in court on July 28, 2025, indicating a potentially lengthy judicial process ahead.

The move underscores the NRM party’s, and the broader legal system’s, commitment to addressing electoral malpractices that often plague primary elections, aiming to ensure fairness and transparency in the democratic process.