Hoima, Uganda – Joseph Kutegeka, the NRM district registrar for Hoima, has been arrested following allegations of announcing two winners for both the Hoima Woman MP and Bugahya County MP seats during the recent party primaries, sparking outrage and confusion among candidates and their supporters.
For Bugahya County MP, initially, Kutegeka announced Amlan Tumusiime (former RDC of Kikuube) as the winner. Shortly after, he reversed his decision, declaring incumbent Pius Wakabi as victor and for Hoima Woman MP, he first named Beatrice Wembabazi winner with 19,598 votes (44.8%), then changed to incumbent Harriet Businge, also assigning her 19,598 votes.
Kutegeka was taken into custody on Monday night at the NRM offices in Kampala after the Hoima district security committee, led by RDC Rogers Mbabazi, directed police to arrest him and his data entry team.
He’s currently detained at the Albertine police regional offices in Hoima, facing charges related to falsification of election results and forgery.
RDC Mbabazi stated, “You cannot declare two candidates as winners… The police must investigate the exact motives behind that as security.”
Kutegeka later claimed he acted under duress, fearing violence from supporters at the tally centre, but authorities dispute this, citing police and army presence securing the area.
The incident has heightened tensions in Hoima, with formal petitions lodged to NRM Electoral Commission Chair Tanga Odoi, seeking clarification on the contested results. Supporters of both candidates protested, including attempts to break into RDC offices.
Investigations continue, and the registrar may undergo a mental health evaluation, as recommended by the security committee. NRM National Electoral Commission will need to resolve the petitions and reaffirm legitimate flagbearers ahead of the 2026 general elections.
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