Speaker Among Demands Gov’t Explanation Over NRM Election Violence!

Kampala, Uganda – July 29, 2025

Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among has directed the government to explain the widespread violence that marred the recently concluded NRM primary elections.

Her directive was issued during a heated plenary session held on Tuesday, following a passionate plea from Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Sekikubo. Sekikubo, who lost the NRM primary to Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Rwashande, raised serious concerns about electoral violence in his constituency—an incident that reportedly resulted in the death of one person.

“This is not just about one constituency; it speaks to a broader issue of electoral malpractice and violence that undermines our democracy,” Sekikubo told Parliament.

Hon Sekikubo in Parliament yesterday

The matter drew further attention from opposition legislators, led by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, who urged the government to uphold the rule of law and ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections. Ssenyonyi emphasized the importance of respecting legal frameworks already in place.

Former Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga also weighed in, attributing the recurring violence to the government’s failure to implement meaningful electoral reforms. He reiterated his earlier proposals aimed at improving Uganda’s electoral processes and called on Parliament to prioritize these reforms if the country is to restore public trust in elections.

In response, Speaker Among demanded that the government provide a comprehensive statement on the incidents, warning that continued silence on electoral violence would only deepen political divisions.

“The country needs answers. We cannot look away while citizens are beaten, intimidated, or even killed in the name of democracy,” Among stated firmly.

The government is expected to respond to the Speaker’s directive in an upcoming parliamentary session.