Kole District NRM Chairperson and NRM National Executive Committee member Anyati Lillian has asked the party leadership to cancel the recent Women Council elections at village, parish, sub-county and district levels, alleging that some senior NRM politicians are supporting opposition candidates.
In a letter dated August 24, 2026, addressed to NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, Anyati called for urgent intervention, claiming that Kole is “slipping into the hands of UPC and NUP” due to alleged interference by some NRM political leaders, including Members of Parliament.
Anyati confirmed that she had written to Todwong and is awaiting feedback from the party’s top leadership. She said NRM’s disciplinary committee should handle District Executive Committee members who allegedly campaigned for opposition candidates.
She cited the recent Okwerodot Sub-county Women Council election, where former Kole District Woman MP Judith Alyek lost to independent candidate Betty Atim, who polled 21 votes against Alyek’s 19. Alyek rejected the results, alleging voter pressure and violations of NRM electoral rules.
Returning Officer Paul Awany said the results were legally declared after counting and tallying, while Atim accepted the victory and pledged to serve residents. Anyati, however, alleged that five voters from Alyek’s NRM camp had been persuaded to support an independent candidate.
Anyati further alleged that during the district-level Women Council election, eight of the 10 NRM voters were persuaded to support an independent or UPC candidate, leaving only two. She said members were free to choose candidates but should not allegedly use official NRM certification or the party stamp to support rival political parties.
She has consequently asked the NRM leadership to withdraw the powers of the party stamp, nullify the affected sub-county and district elections, and organise fresh elections. She also appealed for urgent action to prevent Kole from allegedly falling under the influence of UPC and other opposition parties.
The letter was copied to President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM National Vice Chairperson, Director of Mobilisation, NRM Electoral Commission, Regional Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Kole District Returning Officer and other officials.
The allegations in Anyati’s letter remain claims and have not been independently verified.