Lira, Uganda | The National Resistance Movement (NRM) internal elections in Lira District took a violent turn on Tuesday, 27 May, after disruptions forced the suspension of voting for key leadership positions, including the highly contested seat of District Chairperson.
The chaos erupted at Itek Subcounty, Erute South Constituency, when Senior Presidential Advisor on Lango Affairs and NRM Chairperson aspirant Sam Engola, protested what he described as a breach of campaign neutrality.
He accused his rival, Linda Agnes Auma, the incumbent Lira District Woman MP, of mobilising her supporters in full yellow attire, despite an earlier agreement barring candidates and their camps from wearing partisan colors or personalized campaign materials.
Engola expressed disappointment with the situation, stating that an agreement had been reached to avoid yellow attire, yet Auma and her supporters arrived dressed in it.
He said this was divisive, unacceptable, and insisted that if others were allowed to wear yellow, he too should be given an opportunity to dress his supporters similarly.
He further alleged that several of his supporters from Aromo and Ogur Subcounties had been blocked from entering the polling ground, and he declared that he could not continue with the election under such circumstances.
The disagreement escalated when a large group of Engola’s supporters stormed the venue, broke the gate, and began chanting “No vote! No vote!”, which forced electoral officials to call off the election.
Zaintum Zirwaru, the NRM Electoral Commissioner for Northern Uganda, confirmed that a previous meeting with candidates had concluded with an agreement to prohibit shirts bearing individual candidate portraits.
However, she clarified that the restriction did not apply to shirts featuring the image of President Yoweri Museveni.
Zirwaru said that none of the candidates had violated the rule on portraits and added that the Central Electoral Commission would decide the date for elections that were left unfilled due to the disruptions.
In response, Hon. Linda Agnes Auma acknowledged that the guidance on campaign dress came from the party’s national electoral body.
She dismissed the actions of Engola’s supporters, describing them as immature and insisted that she would not engage in what she considered to be childish behaviour.
This marked the second consecutive incident of unrest during the NRM’s grassroots elections in Lira District.
A similar disruption occurred on Friday, 23 May, at Ogur Secondary School, involving supporters from both factions.
As a result of the unrest, elections for the following positions were suspended:
1. Lira District NRM Chairperson (Sam Engola vs. Linda Agnes Auma)
2. District Vice Chairperson (Peter Okello Oyoo vs. George Abudul)
3. District General Secretary (Omara Bonny vs. Eng. Jackson Hendry Obong)
Despite the setbacks, several other positions were filled without incident.
They include:
1. Secretary for Finance, NRM Mainstream: Acen Christine Gwok Adako – 192 votes
Defeated Geoffrey Omara Adigi – 180 votes
2. Publicity Secretary: Ogwang Moses Obua – 212 votes
Okwir Patrick received no support as his members declined to line up behind him
3. Chairperson Women’s League: Akite Christine – 39 votes
Janet Atim did not attend
4. Vice Chairperson Women’s League: Akello Collin – 41 votes
Okwir Lilly refused to participate
5. General Secretary Women’s League: Among Brenda Benna – 41 votes,
Rose Lilly Ayo – 0 votes
The NRM Central Electoral Commission is expected to issue new dates for the suspended elections and to provide further guidance on conduct to prevent future disruptions.
Party leaders across the region are calling for restraint, adherence to party rules, and unity to avoid a repeat of Tuesday’s unrest.